Michael McHale , 2025-05-07 07:30:00
New Human Tissue Act will see establishment of ‘opt-out’ register for organ donation
More than 1.6 million drivers in Ireland have registered as potential organ donors, according to new figures released to mark Organ Donation Awareness Week.
Data from the Road Safety Authority shows that, as of last Friday, 1,609,351 people with an in-date learner permit or driving licence had chosen the option to become organ donors by including code 115 on their licence. This figure represents 47.6 per cent of the country’s driving population.
With Organ Donor Awareness Week 2025 officially launched on Tuesday, the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) urged the public to talk to their loved ones about organ donation to ensure that the wishes of potential future donors are realised.
In 2024, 263 organ transplants were carried out here – this included 175 kidney, 53 liver, 16 heart, 15 lung and four pancreas transplants.
However, more than 600 people in Ireland are currently on transplant waiting lists for organs. Over 500 are wating on a kidney transplant, while others desperately need transplants of the heart, lung, liver, and pancreas.
“We must always remember that without organ donation, there is no transplantation,” said IKA CEO Carol Moore.
“In 2024, 84 families, in the most tragic of circumstances, selflessly consented to their loved one’s organs being donated. These individual acts of humanity have saved and transformed lives across Ireland and are an example to us all.”
She added: “We look forward to the Minister for Health’s forthcoming announcement of the commencement date for Part 2 (Transplantation) of the Human Tissue Act that was enacted in February 2024.
“This will see the introduction of altruistic kidney donation and will also impact the management of organ donation from deceased donors. This important legislation provides the legal framework for organ donation and transplantation in Ireland.”
According to the IKA, around one-to-two per cent of people die in circumstances where organ donation is medically possible, typically in hospital intensive care units.
Under the new Human Tissue Act, an opt-out register will be established. If a person chooses to record their decision to opt-out of consideration as a potential organ donor, their family will not be approached. However, in all other cases, whilst consent to donate will be deemed, retrieval will not happen unless the family confirm that they have no objection to it.
“While much of what defines modern medicine entails complex science and technological innovation, it is humbling that one of its most sophisticated frontiers is founded entirely on community, altruism and compassion,” said Dr Brian O’Brien, clinical director of Organ Donation Transplant Ireland.
“Organ donation, a gesture of kindness to strangers made in the bleakest of circumstances, encapsulates much of what is good about humanity. Under forthcoming legislation, living donation will become more feasible in Ireland. We welcome the introduction of the Human Tissue Act therefore, and hope it serves to raise awareness of this most vital practice. We encourage all to make their views on donation known to those close to them”.
The launch of Organ Donor Awareness Week, which runs until May 17, saw individuals and families whose lives have been changed by organ donation share their stories.
Many highlighted how organ failure brought into focus how precious time is with family, friends and for fulfilling your hopes and dreams.
They were supported on the day by family members, while medical and nursing professionals including donor and transplant coordinators, representatives from patient advocacy groups, the HSE Organ Donation Transplant Ireland (ODTI) office and the Department of Health were also in attendance.
For more information see www.ika.ie/donorweek/
