Northern Ireland

West Belfast father calls for 'no more delays' in introducing soft opt-out organ donation legislation in north

Máirtín MacGabhann, who's four-year-old son, Dáithí was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which means he has only half a working heart, and who has been waiting almost three years for a heart transplant, has called for "no more delays" in introducing soft opt-out organ donation legislation in Northern Ireland
Máirtín MacGabhann, who's four-year-old son, Dáithí was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which means he has only half a working heart, and who has been waiting almost three years for a heart transplant, has called Máirtín MacGabhann, who's four-year-old son, Dáithí was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which means he has only half a working heart, and who has been waiting almost three years for a heart transplant, has called for "no more delays" in introducing soft opt-out organ donation legislation in Northern Ireland
By Marie Louise McConville

THE father of a four-year-old boy who needs heart transplant surgery has appealed to politicians to act to introduce life-saving organ donation legislation.

Campaigners fear that with the summer recess at Stormont approaching time is running out for soft opt-out organ donation legislation.

Máirtín MacGabhann, whose four-year-old son Dáithí has been on a waiting list almost three years, said there should be "no more delays".

Under the proposed legislation, everyone would be considered as willing to donate their organs unless they have formally request to opt out.

Health Minister Robin Swann has submitted a request for proposed legislation to proceed by Urgent Procedure.

However, it needs agreement from both the first and deputy first minister before it is taken to the Assembly floor.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill has agreed and it now needs First Minister Paul Givan to also agree within days for the early stages of the legislative process to take place before the recess.

Mr MacGabhann, from west Belfast said the legislation "deserves to have the best opportunity of going through".

The call by the Donate4Dáithí campaign is also supported by the British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland (BHF NI).

BHF NI's Fearghal McKinney said he feared time was running out adding "we need the early stages of the legislative process to take place before the summer recess. We owe it to everyone on that transplant waiting list.”