Colm Gildernew
Fermanagh and South Tyrone · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I have been working with Dungannon Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It will welcome this work, particularly in light of its concerns about vacancy and protecting the retail heart of towns such as Dungannon.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, you said that there has been an improvement. However, recently, there were reports of over 1,400 patients waiting more than 28 days. How will you ensure that trusts consistently meet the targets for suspected cancer appointments in particular?”
“However, the Committee will want to examine carefully how any new or amended powers would operate in practice. Powers relating to information sharing, official warnings, directions, removal from office and disqualification can have significant, long-standing consequences for charities, trustees, staff, volunteers and, indeed, public confi…”
“<BR /> <BR />The regulations are consequential to the uprating order and provide the supporting technical changes needed to ensure that the revised benefit rates operate correctly. The regulations increase the earning limit for carer's allowance from £196 a week to £204 a week.”
“In response to those findings, Minister Hargey introduced the Charities Bill, which was enacted in 2022. The legislation put in place many of the review's priority recommendations in the limited time remaining in that mandate. The Charities (Amendment) Bill represents the next stage of that reform programme.”
“The Committee will wish to explore the implications of those changes, including for organisations operating across jurisdictions or delivering charitable activity in or from the North. Our charity sector includes a diverse range of bodies.”
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“In that sense, her input on that was very valuable to the Committee and to the survivors of those homes. I welcome the Minister's reference to how those issues might be addressed going forward. I assure him that the Committee will work with him on that issue, because we are jointly concerned about it.”
“<BR /> <BR />That was built on by my colleague Carál Ní Chuilín, who also acknowledged the fact that there has been a delay in the legislation going back very many years. That underlines the importance of the Assembly moving forward with the legislation at this time. She also addressed the issue of the mother-and-baby homes records, coming from a point of great experience as a previous keeper of the records.”
“<BR /> <BR />A number of Members discussed the hugely important issue of access to records. It was raised by Colin McGrath. At times, we heard harrowing evidence from some of the victims and survivors and families affected by the mother-and-baby institutions about the impact of not being able to access the story of your own life, access your own information and find out who you are. Barriers were put in their way, and unknowns were left there for them to deal with and address going forward. Our work on the Bill is a good example of the Committee, the Department and the Assembly working on issues of real importance to real people outside these walls, and I welcome the fact that a range of issues has been discussed and aired in relation to that.”
“I thank Members for the points raised during this part of the debate. <BR /> <BR />First of all, I acknowledge that the Deputy Chair of the Committee, Pam Cameron, said that she was broadly supportive of the amendments and outlined her reasons for that. I thank the Deputy Chair for her work on the Bill and, indeed, on other important legislation. I also thank Committee members for how they approached all this to ensure that we were effective as a Committee, worked effectively with the Department and, most importantly of all, were able to bring those who have lived experience and will be impacted as a result of the legislation into the heart of the debate and, more importantly, into the heart of the amendments. The Committee has brought forward practical steps that will assist them going forward.”
“The Committee agreed to seek clarification from the Department that the amendments to clause 102, which are amendment Nos 4 to 10, are compliant with data protection and public records legislation. It would be helpful if the Minister could confirm that they are.”
“<BR /> <BR />I take this opportunity to highlight some of the good work that is being undertaken in providing support services for children, young people and their families. I encourage the Minister and the Department to look at some of the programmes that are being delivered in the sector by organisations such as Adoption UK, the Fostering Network and the Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC), and to consider whether some of those programmes could be expanded to provide additional support for children and young people. <BR /> <BR />The Minister will provide further information on the purpose of the other departmental amendments, but the Committee agreed that it was content to support them.”
“However, if the Department and the Executive want to tackle some of the inequalities that children in care or children who have previously been in care experience, it is no good just to assess; actions and services must be provided following the assessment. We cannot create another waiting list that puts people off requesting an assessment or that is not able to provide services in a timely manner following the assessment. <BR /> <BR />The Bill has identified implementation costs of approximately £13·8 million in year 1 and recurring costs of over £12 million in the following years. It would be good if the Minister clarified how much of that funding will be specifically for the provision of services following assessment and if he provided assurances that services will be provided in a timely manner following any assessment.”
“<BR /> <BR />Amendment No 12, which is also from the Committee, outlines that, for special guardianship arrangements, the Committee agreed with stakeholders that there needed to be an assurance of provision of services as, without that assurance, some people may not come forward for assessment because they believe that they will only be placed on a lengthy waiting list and that, essentially, it would be reduced to a tick-box exercise. The Department has rightly identified that children who have been in care have needs that may present at different times in their life and that there should be an assessment of needs when requested.”
“Committee members and stakeholders welcomed the creation of a provision for an assessment but had concerns that there is no duty on an authority to provide for the needs that are identified in that assessment. The concerns were that, with no duty to provide the services identified, there would be a significant impact on children, young people and families in waiting for what has been identified as a need. The Committee amendment, amendment No 3, requires there to be provision of services for those who have had an assessment undertaken. The amendment outlines who the applicable persons are in that case.”
“At a Committee meeting on 13 January, departmental officials agreed that the Bill as drafted does not provide a duty to conduct an assessment of needs for special guardian support services. The officials advised that the Minister would table an amendment to the Bill to place a duty to provide an assessment of needs, if requested. The Committee is therefore content to support amendment No 11, tabled by the Minister, which provides for an assessment of needs for special guardianship support services and will provide a consistent approach to undertaking assessments. <BR /> <BR />The key concern about the Bill follows on from the duty to provide an assessment of needs.”
“I welcome the opportunity to open the debate on this group of amendments. The Committee has proposed two of the amendments in this grouping: amendment Nos 3 and 12. I will outline the reasoning behind the Committee's amendments and comment generally on the Department's amendments. <BR /> <BR />Clause 5 confers a new right whereby an adoption agency must carry out an assessment of needs for adoption support services. The Committee was advised that the assessment will provide a means of facilitating the provision of a planned support package. There is universal support for that measure, and the Committee welcomes the duty to provide an assessment of needs. However, many stakeholders raised concerns about the fact that the same right to an assessment of needs was not provided for special guardians in clause 119.”
“Before I finish this section of my comments, I record my sincere thanks to the Committee team and the Bill Clerk for supporting members through the scrutiny of the Bill. Every member of the Health Committee recognises the fantastic work that our Committee staff have done throughout our tenure as a Committee, particularly in relation to some of these very detailed Bills. They have provided us with information, support and advice at every step of the way. We recognise the amount of work that goes into that, which is often unseen, and we thank all of them.”
“On behalf of the Committee, I thank officials sincerely for the way in which they conducted their work. It is worth noting that many stakeholders highlighted officials' proactive approach to engagement with the sector on the Bill. I welcome that, because it lends itself to achieving more broadly agreed outcomes, as has been demonstrated here. That was welcome, and I urge the Department to continue that proactive engagement as regulations are brought forward in the coming period. <BR /> <BR />I also thank Committee members for their work on the Bill. As I said, this is a detailed and complex Bill that was considered during an extremely busy period for the Committee in which six other Bills were being considered. The Committee has come forward with solid, sound and good recommendations that will strengthen the Bill.”
“The Committee agrees that those clauses provide for regulations on significant issues and that it would be appropriate for those regulations to go through the draft affirmative procedure. Members will be keen to hear the Minister's views on those clauses. <BR /> <BR />I am sure that everyone will be glad to hear that I am almost at the end of my remarks. As Chair, I want to thank a few people in relation to the amendments in group 1. I thank the Minister and his officials for their engagement with the Committee. Officials have been very good at providing information to and briefing the Committee on what is a technical and complex Bill; indeed, they provided the Committee with an informal briefing on the adoption process and with further information that the Committee had sought.”
“and to refuse to allow contact that would otherwise be required by virtue of a contact order under clause 23. Clause 52(1) enables the Department to make regulations applying with modifications or disapplying certain provisions of the Children Order where:”
“That follows the Committee's consideration of the Examiner of Statutory Rules' report on delegated powers, which highlighted a number of clauses where the Committee should consider whether the negative resolution process was the most appropriate. <BR /> <BR />Clause 24 enables the Department to make regulations to set out:”
“The Committee agreed that it was content with the Department's amendments in the group. <BR /> <BR />The Committee welcomes the changes proposed in amendment Nos 43 and 44, which amend the Department's regulation-making powers and change the Assembly's scrutiny of regulations from negative resolution to draft affirmative resolution. The Committee continues to have a concern, however, that, potentially, other regulations under the Bill should also be subject to draft affirmative rather than negative resolution. The Committee is considering tabling amendments at Further Consideration Stage that would bring regulations in clauses 24, 55 and 77 subject under the draft affirmative process.”
“The amendment also allows the Department to make regulations to remove the requirement to report but not before the tenth anniversary of the Act's receiving Royal Assent, as the Minister has flagged. The Committee recognises that the Bill is significant legislation that has been delayed a number of times over the past decade. In order to provide the Assembly, the Committee and stakeholders with an assurance that implementation of the legislation is a priority, the Committee agreed that there should be a requirement on the Department to report on the Bill's implementation. I am grateful to departmental officials for indicating that the Minister is content with the amendment. <BR /> <BR />The Department's amendments in group 1 are largely to do with tidying up and removing references to the Health and Social Care Board.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee recognises the importance of keeping children in existing family structures where possible. In certain circumstances, that may require placements to be made across the border. The Department must ensure that there is sufficient support for cross-border placements, including assessments and the provision of services when applicable. The Committee recommends that the Department undertake a review of cross-border care arrangements, including the consideration of a regulatory framework for cross-border cases. <BR /> <BR />On the amendments, I will speak first on the Committee's amendment in group 1, which is amendment No 45. It would place a duty on the Department to:”
“The Human Rights Commission also highlighted that the UK's withdrawal from the European Union had raised additional complexity in the area. The Committee agreed to seek assurances from the Departments of Health and Justice that the loss of the Brussels IIa framework has not adversely impacted how the cross-border placement of children is managed. <BR /> <BR />The Committee also agreed to ask the Department of Health whether consideration is being given to whether placing children under special guardianship orders (SGOs), overseas or cross-border, may warrant a distinct form of regulatory framework for domestic cases; for example, a bilateral agreement between Britain and Ireland to pre-empt any difficulties that may arise. The Committee looks forward to a response from the Department on that issue.”
“Although kinship foster care arrangements are in place under a cross-border protocol, concerns were raised at Committee about the practical challenges stemming from the fact that adoption on a North/South basis is currently treated in the same way as any other inter-country adoption, even though the prospective adopters may be relatives and may live, as we know in this place, on the same road, field or farm as someone who would be a good kinship carer. The Committee sought the views of the Human Rights Commission on the issue. The commission stated in its response that it is currently not clear how the Bill will meet the needs of children for whom adoption is not appropriate but who would benefit from kinship placement across the border.”
“I thank them for all that they do to provide a safe home and to support our most vulnerable children and young people. The Committee thanks Adoption UK, the Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC) and the Fostering Network for their help in organising those useful sessions. Members commented positively on the quality of the engagement with all the groups, and they hope that the next Committee will continue that engagement in the next mandate as regulations are brought forward and the Bill is implemented. Those who are experts by experience should continue to have their voice included in the conversations. <BR /> <BR />North/South issues were raised by members during their consideration of the Bill, particularly in relation to kinship care arrangements.”
“The Committee would like to see a change in processes that will ensure that the voices of children and young people are clearly heard, taken into account and acted on when decisions are made about their care and future arrangements. <BR /> <BR />The Committee welcomes programmes such as Going the Extra Mile (GEM) that provide support to young people and families after the age of 18. However, we ask the Department to consider how additional support can be provided to young people over the age of 18 who want to stay in the current care arrangements. That was a key issue raised by young people, and it would provide them with the support that they need to transition into adult life. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to all foster carers and their families and all adoptive parents and their families for the love, support and care that they provide.”
“The Committee would like to see better engagement between social care and schools to provide the necessary support for children and young people in their journey through education and training. The Committee hopes that the clause to promote, facilitate and support achievement and development in education, training and support will provide that link. <BR /> <BR />The young people whom the Committee met all highlighted the importance of their voice and views being heard when decisions are made about their care and their future. It struck me when one of the young people said to members, "Give us options. When you have options, you have a voice". That is a really poignant and important point to consider.”
“<BR /> <BR />The groups that we met highlighted the good work of charities in the sector and the support, training and programmes that they provide to children and young people and their families. The Committee also welcomed the input from the community and voluntary sector in that regard. The Committee encourages the Department to look at the support and programmes provided by the sector and to consider providing resource to expand the programmes that are currently delivered. <BR /> <BR />The groups all agreed that there needed to be a better link between social care and education and that the lack of engagement between the two causes problems for children and families.”
“The informal sessions highlighted common themes that the Committee would like the Department to consider in implementing the Bill. All three groups that we met highlighted inconsistency in social work practice within and across trusts. The Committee understands that there is considerable pressure on social work staff and that that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. However, the Department needs to consider the current workforce and to ensure that there are sufficient social care workers to provide the help and support that children and families need and ensure that there is a consistent approach to engagement with children and young people across the board.”
“The Committee has requested sight of the timetable and recommends that the incoming Committee closely follows and scrutinises the implementation of the regulations that will give effect to this Bill. <BR /> <BR />The Committee also conducted a number of informal sessions in order to discuss issues relating to the Bill directly with those who will be most impacted by it. The Committee thanks all those parents and young people who took part in the sessions for sharing their expertise and experience with us; we found it extremely useful. I particularly want to thank the young people who provided advice and shared their experiences with us. We heard some very heartening messages around the work that has been undertaken and also some issues of concern, which we have tried to reflect in our report and in our amendments.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will say, however, that in all the submissions that we received and during the oral evidence sessions, the organisations outlined the importance of the Bill's passing in this mandate. The organisations stated that it is important that the Committee should scrutinise in detail the sets of regulations that will come in the next mandate in order to implement the Bill. The Department said that over 20 sets of regulations will need to be brought forward in order to implement the Bill. During its evidence, the Department said that it is planning a phased approach to introducing the regulations, which will take place over a three-year period starting in the 2023-24 financial year.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee held a total of eight formal evidence sessions on the Bill and was briefed by the Commissioner for Children and Young People, the Human Rights Commission, the NSPCC, Barnardo's, Family Care Adoption Services, Family Routes, Adoption UK, the Fostering Network, the British Association of Social Workers, Action for Children and Home for Good. I place on record my thanks and those of the Committee to all those organisations for providing us with their views on the Bill. Many of the issues that were raised in evidence have been reflected in the Committee's tabled amendments, and we thank all those organisations for their input. I will cover some of the evidence that they provided when I look at the particular amendments in each group.”
“The Committee undertook early consultation, following confirmation from the Speaker that the Bill was within legislative competence and confirmation from the Department that there were no planned changes to the Bill. Due to the size of the Bill, the Committee was briefed by officials on the principles of the Bill over two weeks on 23 and 30 September. The call for evidence closed on 8 October, which allowed for a longer consultation period and meant that organisations had sufficient time to provide detailed responses to the call for evidence. The Committee received a total of 18 written submissions from organisations. I thank each and every one of those organisations that provided written evidence to the Committee.”
“The aim of the Bill is to make the adoption process as efficient as possible by eliminating unnecessary delay in the system. The Department has said that the child will be placed at the centre of the process, and the Committee welcomes that. The Bill also aims to extend and strengthen provision in the 1995 Order so as to enhance the services provided to children and their parents and carers and to improve outcomes for looked-after children, including the reintroduction of the special guardianship order. <BR /> <BR />Due to the limited time that was available to the Committee to scrutinise such a large and complex Bill and the Committee's workload with six other Bills, the Committee agreed to issue its call for evidence at the end of July, prior to the Bill's introduction in the Assembly.”
“It is a large Bill with 160 clauses and four schedules. It is probably one of the most important Bills that the Assembly and our Committee have had to consider, given the vulnerabilities not only of young people in particular but of their families in this area of life. Those are some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our society, and it is important — and, as has been noted repeatedly, quite overdue — that the Bill is approved. <BR /> <BR />The Bill was introduced on 20 September and passed Second Stage on 5 October. It seeks to reform the legislative framework governing adoption, making it more consistent with the principles and provisions of the Children Order 1995 and with international human rights requirements.”
“Before I begin, I send my best wishes to the Minister, in the light of his having tested positive for COVID, and I wish him and his family all the very best for a speedy recovery and limited impact. <BR /> <BR />During the debate on this group, I will give a brief overview of the Committee's scrutiny of the Bill and make some further comments on the Committee's view on some of the Department's amendments. In the subsequent debates on groups 2 and 3, I will provide further information on the Committee's reasoning and consideration of its proposed amendments. At the outset of the debate, I declare an interest as a qualified social worker currently on a career break. <BR /> <BR />The Adoption and Children Bill is long-awaited, and its introduction was welcomed by the Committee and the sector.”
“<BR /> <BR />Across the House, we — every Member of every party — have a responsibility to ensure that the Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill does not become a casualty of the political uncertainty that has been created by one party. It is much too important to the families who are waiting anxiously for the Bill to progress.”
“<BR /> <BR />A workforce strategy that addresses the chronic shortage of Health and Social Care (HSC) workers will require the three-year Budget and the increased investment in health that the Sinn Féin Minister of Finance has proposed in his Budget. To address the workforce shortage, the waiting lists, the health inequalities and the myriad problems threatening our healthcare system, there must be political and economic stability. We cannot plan to build a workforce if we do not have sustainable long-term funding to recruit, train and retain the workers we need to begin to tackle the waiting lists that, in some cases, are costing lives. The three-year Budget that is needed to steady the entire health and social care sector is now an uncertainty, and that is a huge concern.”
“Indeed, in the early stages of the process, my colleague Pat Sheehan took the matter forward in a private Member's Bill and very much welcomed the fact that the Department and the Minister made it one of their priorities to take the legislation forward. <BR /> <BR />The soft opt-out option for organ donation will help to save the lives of those who so desperately need the legislation to do what has been done in other jurisdictions: increase the rate of consent to donate. There is work to be done by the Department of Health in the months and years ahead to ensure the Bill's success, and, as with every other area of health, its success will be affected by the Department's workforce planning for the specialists and senior nurses who will be needed.”
“The Committee is delighted to see the legislation reach Final Stage and hopes that the Assembly will support its passing today. <BR /> <BR />I will make some brief remarks as Sinn Féin spokesperson for health. The Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill represents politics at its best, where patients, organisations and the political institutions come together to make an important law that addresses a vital need for some of our constituents. From the outset, Sinn Féin has been supportive of the legislation for soft opt-out organ donation, working closely with families and groups such as the heart foundations to get this important Bill across the line.”
“Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá go díreach le clann Mhic Gabhann, Máirtín, Seph agus Dáithí: maith sibh. Maith sibh, a chairde, ar an lá mhór seo. Deirim go díreach le Dáithí: a Dháithí, is leat an Tionól seo inniu. Dáithí, this is your Assembly today. Thank you for your work.”
“I also acknowledge the Minister's personal situation, which he has reflected on today, and his work and interest in the area personally and as the Minister of Health. I thank the Committee team and the Bill Clerk for supporting members through their scrutiny of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />It is also worth mentioning some of those who have campaigned for this change for a significant amount of time. I, like others, pay tribute to the work of former MLA Jo-Anne Dobson and that of the BHF, which has worked closely with others on this campaign. <BR /> <BR />One of the first meetings that I and the Deputy Chairperson held in our roles was with the Donate4Dáithí campaign. I pay tribute to Dáithí and his parents, Máirtín and Seph Mac Gabhann, for their long-running campaign. We hope that Dáithí gets his transplant as soon as possible.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee also discussed a number of other issues, such as the age of donors, human rights implications and exceptions to deemed consent. <BR /> <BR />Following consideration of the evidence, the Committee undertook deliberations before coming to the formal clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill. The Committee agreed that it was content with the clauses as drafted. It further agreed that its report would be published and that it would outline the evidence that it had received in the course of its scrutiny. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister and his officials for their engagement with the Committee on the Bill, and I thank all the members of the Committee for their work.”
“The trust estimates that that will cost £60,000 in additional revenue to implement. <BR /> <BR />The trust also advised that work has commenced to ensure that the renal transplant service keeps pace with the anticipated increase in donations, such as the clinical leads for the utilisation pilot and ongoing collaboration with NHS Blood and Transplant regarding the organ utilisation programme to identify potential gaps in the workforce, education, leadership and culture. <BR /> <BR />The Department advised that four additional senior nurses in organ donation would be required regionally. The Committee encourages the Department to work with the trusts to ensure that resources are available when required.”
“That includes public awareness, change management, IT infrastructure changes, processing additional registrations, evaluation and clinical training. Implementation of the Bill will also require additional resources in terms of specialist staff, ICU beds and theatre capacity. <BR /> <BR />During evidence, the Belfast Trust stated that 24/7 access to fully trained senior nurses and a consultant intensivist would be required. The Committee sought further information from the trust, asking for its estimate of the increase in workforce, infrastructure and other resources. The trust responded that, as a first step, it proposed having an on-call nursing service for the operating department to ensure out-of-hours theatre access to support increased demand for transplant services.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee asked how the strategy would address different cultural backgrounds and the PHA referred to its use of translation technologies for promotional materials and its plans to engage with community groups and organisations to produce suitable material. The PHA assured the Committee that it would consider a range of channels for the promotional materials, including mainstream TV channels, social media and direct mailing. That, of course, will require sufficient funding for engagement and promotional materials. <BR /> <BR />A number of stakeholders highlighted the impact of the Bill on existing organ donation services in terms of resources and workforce. The Department estimates that the implementation costs of a statutory opt-out system are in the region of £400,000 to £500,000 per year for up to nine years.”
“I will continue my remarks on the Health Committee's consideration of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />As I was saying, the Committee sees the duty on the Department to promote organ donation and the role of the Public Health Agency in outlining the changes in the legislation as being absolutely key to increasing organ donation rates in the North. During evidence, the PHA outlined its plans for promotional and educational activities, including a communications strategy with two main phases. The Committee was advised that the first will run for a period of 12 months across 2022 to prepare people for the change in the law and that the second phase will commence in 2023, when the legislation has come into effect, and will make it clear that the law has changed.”
“During its evidence, the PHA outlined its plans for promotional and educational activities, including a communications strategy with two main phases. The Committee was advised that the first phase will run for a period of 12 months in 2022 to prepare people for the fact that the law is changing. The second phase will commence in 2023 when the legislation comes into effect, and will make it clear that the law has changed.”
“<BR /> <BR />One of the key areas for Committee consideration was the role of the family. The Bill provides that deemed consent will not apply where a person in a qualifying relationship provides information that would lead a reasonable person to conclude that the deceased potential organ donor would not have consented to be an organ donor. The Committee is keen to retain the role of the family in decisions and highlights the importance of families having difficult conversations on organ donation so that they are aware of each other's wishes on the issue. <BR /> <BR />The Committee sees the duty on the Department to promote organ donation and the role of the Public Health Agency to outline the changes in the legislation as key to increasing organ donation rates in the North, as several other Members have mentioned.”
“In the evidence that the Committee received, there was wide-ranging support for the introduction of the Bill. In the Department's public consultation before that introduction, 90% of the 1,917 responses received indicated support for a change to an opt-out system of consent. <BR /> <BR />The Public Health Agency (PHA) advised that, currently, the consent rate for organ donation in the North is 64%, and that that has not increased for several years despite consistently high levels of support for organ donation and the growth in registrations on the donor register. Evidence from other jurisdictions that have introduced a soft opt-out system show an increase in consent rates. As the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee mentioned, rates in Wales have increased from 58% in 2015 to 70·7% in 2020.”
“In order to seek their views on the Bill, the Committee also had an informal evidence session that was run by the Patient and Client Council and that involved people who had received a donated organ or whose families had benefited from organ donation. I sincerely thank all those individuals and organisations for taking the time to submit written evidence, and I thank all those who attended Committee meetings and gave oral evidence, formally and informally.”
“The Bill then passed Second Stage on 20 September and was referred to the Committee for Health for scrutiny at Committee Stage. The Committee issued a call for evidence and received a total of 30 written submissions. A total of 11 written submission were received from organisations, with the rest coming from individuals. Committee members heard the views of six organisations, in addition to Department of Health officials. The Committee took oral evidence from the Belfast Trust, the Public Health Agency, Kidney Care UK, the British Heart Foundation, the Donate4Dáithí campaign and NHS Blood and Transplant.”
“As there were no amendments tabled to the Bill, this is the first opportunity that I have had to outline the Committee's scrutiny of the Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill. I will, therefore, provide some detail of the Committee's consideration of the Bill before making comment as my party's health spokesperson. <BR /> <BR />The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Human Transplantation Act 2004 for a soft opt-out system of consent for organ donation. The Department advised that the policy intent of the Bill is to increase the rate of consent in the small number of cases where it is clinically possible for an organ donation to proceed after a person's death. <BR /> <BR />The Committee was first briefed on the principles of the Bill by departmental officials at its meeting on 9 September, following introduction on 5 July.”