Really support
Independent journalism
Our mission is to provide unbiased, fact-based journalism that holds power accountable and exposes the truth.
Every donation counts, whether it's $5 or $50.
Support us to deliver journalism without purpose.
MPs have backed new organ donation legislation for Northern Ireland, known as “Daity's Bill”.
MPs supported amendments to the Northern Ireland (Administrative Structure) Bill, which was passed after going through the House of Commons debate stage.
The bill passed its second reading without opposition and will now go to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.
Six-year-old Daithi McGovern, from Belfast, who is waiting for a new heart, high-fived his father as MPs backed the changes.
Ms Daithi's family travelled to Westminster to watch the government's restrictions go through the House of Commons.
The government has moved to advance legislation on an opt-out contributions scheme which has been stalled after political deadlock in Stormont meant local councillors could not convene to pass regulations.
Speaking at Westminster before the bill was passed, Daithi's father, Myrtle McGovern, said: “Today is an emotional day and a very proud day.
“It's finally starting to feel like a victory. It'll probably be a few years before I fully realize it.”
“We met with the Secretary of State (Chris Heaton-Harris) this morning. There was a celebratory mood.”
“We’re just happy, we’re not only proud of Daithi, we’re proud of ourselves and we look forward to Daithi’s law being implemented.
“We've been let down so many times over the past few weeks. We never thought we'd be here today, but we have.”
McGovern said he expects the bill to receive royal assent on March 6, with Daithi's Act coming into force in early summer.
Attempts to revive parliament and pass the bill last week failed when the DUP again used its veto to block the election of a speaker, meaning no further business can be debated.
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Heaton Harris said he was taking the “extraordinary step” of bringing the bill forward through Westminster following cross-party support for Daithi's plight.
Daithi smiled and waved to lawmakers as debate began in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
Ms Heaton-Harris praised the family's “brave efforts” and told MPs: “They should not need to be here today to see this reform implemented. Parliament could and should have convened to get this done.”
“We recognise this issue is exceptional both because of its importance and the cross-party support it enjoys in both Northern Ireland and this Assembly. With that in mind, the Government has introduced significant amendments to this Bill to enable these changes to proceed through Assembly in the absence of the Speaker.”
Heaton-Harris said the changes will be in place by the spring.
He added: “When I was speaking to Daithi today, I asked him if he thought he had a chance of being elected here and trying to set us all straight, because a little bit of common sense in some of our dealings would probably go a long way, and I think he and his family have shown that a lot.”
“I know he's even met the Speaker (Sir Lindsay Hoyle) and is now the proud owner of a Speaker teddy bear.”
Heaton-Harris said the six-year-old “is going to make history today.”
He said: “Of course I would like to see a parliament established and it should have been. I recognise that this issue is very important and requires exceptional government intervention.”
I want to thank Daithi, he is an inspirational boy
Tonia Antoniazzi
Northern Ireland shadow minister Tonia Antoniazzi said: “I want to thank Daithi. He's an inspirational boy. I'm not sure he quite realises yet what a difference he and his family have made to Northern Ireland. Frankly, he has made history.”
Conservative MP Simon Hoare, chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, said he supported the changes but added that “follow-up work on a public information campaign needs to be done to ensure maximum uptake and the opportunities it offers are taken advantage of.”
Michelle O'Neill, Stormont Sinn Féin leader, tweeted that it was a “major day” for people waiting for a transplant.
The opt-out system, which is already in operation in the rest of the UK, means adults in Northern Ireland are considered donors unless they decide to opt out. The system was introduced to boost donation rates in the region.
The Government's bill also postpones the requirement for the establishment of an executive at Stormont until January 18 next year and postpones parliamentary elections until no later than April 11.
The government said the extra time would allow Stormont to “focus its attention on restoring the devolved institutions” and would also allow space for the UK-EU dialogue over the Northern Ireland Protocol to continue.
The DUP dismantled the devolved executive a year ago in protest at the post-Brexit protocol and has vowed not to lift its blockade on power-sharing until fundamental changes are made to the controversial Irish Sea trade deal.
