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many of us do not inform our next of kin of our intentions to donate or otherwise. This results in fewer organs than possible being donated.

3. It will help improve organ donor rates in Ireland:

The countries with the best rates of organ donation in Europe have some form of soft opt-out system combined with sufficient infrastructure. Ireland was only in 18th place out of 28 EU countries for transplants in 2020 (slipping from 14th place in 2019).

4. It will modernise our organ donor system:

Organ donor cards and similar ad hoc initiatives such as phone apps or use of a code on the driver license are very worthy and useful initiatives. But how many of us have lost and not replaced our donor cards for example? How many of us have not informed our next of kin of our organ donation intentions? The introduction of an online register for opting out of organ donation will bring Ireland into the modern age.

5. Organ donation will continue to be a ‘gift of life’.

The new system will continue to embrace the concept of organ donation being a ‘gift of life’. The only difference is that potentially more organs will be donated and as a result more families will benefit from the gift of life. Next of kin will continue to be consulted so no family will be forced to donate the organs of a loved one.

6. Ireland needs sufficient resources to make soft opt-out succeed.

We will always need more resources for our health system than those that are available. However, additional resources are needed to ensure that soft opt out is fully implemented.

CFI will keep you updated on the progress of the Human Tissue Bill.

Sources: A Systematic Review of Opt-out Versus Opt-in Consent on Deceased Organ Donation and Transplantation (2006–2016)August 2019World Journal of Surgery 43(Suppl 5) ODTI Research undertaken in 2016 and published with the ODTI 2015 Annual Report CFI analysis of Council of Europe data https://www.cfireland.ie/about-cf/latest-news/irish-donor-network-expresses-concern-at-significantdecline-in-transplantation-and-organ-donation-rates

CFI welcomes support for IVF

CFI has taken a leading role to advocate for state supports for IVF. It costs more than €6000 per round of IVF and it often takes multiple rounds before there is a successful pregnancy. PGD is also dependent on IVF. In the September 2022 budget €10 million is being provided for IVF services for the final 4 months of September 2023 with funding set to increase by in 2024. Ireland is the only country in the EU that does not provide state funded IVF. IVF will continue to be provided privately with the Minister stating it ‘is going to take several years to build up the full public system’. There will be consultation with key stakeholders including patient groups on the detail. CFI will of course seek to engage in this consultation.