A major reform of organ donation legislation in Northern Ireland is to be named for a five-year-old who has been waiting most of his life for a new heart.
The legislation, which will become known as Daithí’s Law, passed its final hurdle in the Stormont Assembly on Tuesday.
The new legislation will mean all adults become potential donors unless they specifically opt out.
Daithí Mac Gabhann, five, was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and has been on a waiting list for most of his life.
Northern Ireland has been the only part of the UK where the opt-out system is not already in place.
The passage of the Bill comes amid chaotic times at Stormont following the resignation of First Minister Paul Givan last week, which also removed deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill from the shared office.
While no new legislation can be brought, MLAs are continuing to work to progress Bills already in the Assembly system
Health Minister Robin Swann, who brought the Organ and Tissue (Deemed Consent) Bill, described it as a “good day for politics in Northern Ireland”.
“It will be life-changing for many people who are waiting on organ donations or those on waiting lists at this minute in time,” he said.
PASSED!!! Delighted to stand shoulder with @RobinSwannMoH as he has just PASSED the Opt-Out #OrganDonation Bill here at Stormont!
A proud day & a new dawn for transplantation & Organ Donation in Northern Ireland!
Tributes to all who have campaigned to make this day possible ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Vz8HHeSqoGAdvertisement— Jo-Anne Dobson (@JoAnne_Dobson) February 8, 2022
“We have seen in the chamber what this place can do when it works and what this place should be doing when it can work together.”
Daithí’s father, Mairtin Mac Gabhann, said it was a massive day for his family and the campaign.
“We didn’t think we would see this day in this mandate, and to be here for Daithí’s Law being announced is absolutely incredible, we’re just so proud of Daithí and all the work that has gone in for this life-saving legislation,” he said.
“Daithí is five years old and has been on the waiting list for a new heart for over three and a half years, most of his short life.
“We can’t thank Minister Swann enough for bringing it through as an Executive Bill.
“Everything has kind of clicked together, and it is fate that this is going through today because there was a time we didn’t think it had a chance of going through.”
Jo-Anne Dobson, a former MLA who proposed a similar Bill in 2013, said it has been an emotional day.
“I’m thinking of all the people waiting for an organ and the fact that we have change, we have the dawn of a new era,” she said.
“It’s brilliant to get here, I may have started the journey, but Robin Swann has driven the car over the finish line.
“No matter how we have got here, now we have given hope for those waiting for a transplant currently and will be in the future.”
