I propose to take Questions Nos. 206, 207 and 209 together.
The Heads of a Human Tissue Bill that will
meet the key recommendation of the Madden Report on Post Mortem Practice and Procedures that no hospital post-mortem may be carried out and no tissue retained without consent/authorisation are at an advanced stage of preparation and I expect to bring these to Government by the end of the year. The Deputy will also be aware that the Programme for Government envisages the introduction of an opt-out system of organ donation, with a view to improving the availability of organs for patients in need of transplantation. This will of course require detailed consideration and further consultation and my Department is examining how best to undertake this and the timeframe involved.