Westminster to make "exceptional intervention" to progress Dáithí’s Law
The bill is tabled for debate this Wednesday
Westminster is to make an “exceptional intervention” to progress Dáithí’s Law.
The legislation will introduce an opt-out organ donation system in Northern Ireland, leading to an increase in the number of donors here.
It passed in 2022, but has since faced delays from being put into action because of the political impasse at Stormont.
The legislation is named after 6 year old West Belfast boy Dáithí Mac Gabhann who is on the waiting list for a new heart.
His family have spent years campaigning for the new law.
The latest attempt to recall the Stormont Assembly and progress the opt-out organ donation law failed, with the DUP refusing to re-enter power-sharing due to its ongoing protest against the Northern Ireland protocol.
The party has called for Westminster to step in and progress Dáithí’s Law in the absence of an Executive.
In a statement this morning, Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris said, “I have been incredibly moved by Dáithí’s story and his family’s dedication. I know that the Party Leaders in Northern Ireland feel the same. In recognition of just how important this issue is, I have decided to bring forward an amendment to the Executive Formation Bill which will allow for the overdue legislation to be made by the NI Department of Health and see this change to the law become a reality.”
“I would like to reiterate that, if the amendment is selected, the UK Government’s intervention here is exceptional. Decisions such as these should be being taken by locally-elected decision-makers.”
“I urge the Parties to take the necessary steps to tackle all the other vitally important measures, just like this one, that they could deliver in Northern Ireland by simply agreeing to restore the institutions.”
The bill is tabled for debate at Westminster this Wednesday
Speaking following the announcement of the move, Head of British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland, Fearghal McKinney, said, “First and foremost, this is fantastic news for Dáithí, for his parents, Máirtín and Seph who have worked so hard and campaigned so tirelessly to get to this point, and all those waiting for the gift of life. “
“It is a testament to the dedication and commitment shown by the Mac Gabhann family and all those who have campaigned for so long to see this potentially lifesaving legislation in place.”
“We all wanted to see this legislation progressing and all those on transplant waiting lists will welcome this news.”
“We now look forward to this legislation being implemented along with the public information campaign around organ donation and ultimately, to more lives being saved.”
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