During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: On Saturday [6th November] the mass of remembrance and thanksgiving for those who are involved in organ transplants to will take place in Corpus Christi in Dublin. I mention it because the figures published today by the British Medical Association, BMA, show Britain has had an increase in organ donation last year of 5%...

It is ahead of us in the number of organ donations and transplants it has. We are in 15th place, compared to Norway which is first and Portugal which is second because they have taken steps to encourage organ donation.

The chief executive of the Irish Kidney Association pointed out that Norway is a wealthier country in Ireland and has the resources to have transplants, but Portugal is not. We had a debate two years and two months ago.

The Minister, Deputy Harney, said she wanted time to consult before she introduced presumed consent and we have not had word back.

Now is the time for the Leader to check with the Minister to find out what is happening. If she says we will not have presumed consent which the BMA is looking for in Britain at least we should know.

We had the debate and it seemed to get very good attention but let us make sure the Seanad is not ignored again.