The soft opt-out is expected to take effect on June 17th, with the transplant list expected to increase the donor pool of more than 600 organs.
Following today's announcement by Health Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill, she is launching the second part of the second part of human tissue (transplant, post-mortem, anatomical examination and public display).
Today's News of 90 Seconds – May 9, 2025
She said: “Initiating this part of this legislation, we are offering the first national legislative framework for donations and transplant services in Ireland.
“This law introduces a soft opt-out consent system for organ donation, meaning that when a person dies, they are presumed to donate organs after death unless they oppose the donation.
“This is an important moment for Ireland's healthcare, and it is based on that respecting the hopes of potential donors. Families are always consulted before taking action.”
An organ donation consent is deemed to be unless the person has registered a request to not become an organ donor after death while alive.
Under the law, the willingness to donate organs after their death is “assumed unless the donation is challenged.” Previously, decisions regarding organ donation were the responsibility of the neighbours.
Minister Carol McNeill said the law also expands routes for living and altruistic organ donation. The purpose of these measures is to increase the Irish donor pool by “standard” organ donation, while always fully respecting the hopes of people and their families.
Families will continue to be consulted as part of a safe and respectful organ donation process, but the wishes of the deceased should be central to any decision.
The Act also provides a framework for donating organs, tissues and cells from living donors and introduces a legislative basis for donating non-directed benefits. This introduces a legislative basis for donors to the transplant system rather than specific people who can allocate donations to patients identified by clinical staff.
