To ask the Minister of Health whether he will bring forward proposals for an opt-out organ donation system, as in the rest of the UK and Ireland.

In 2016, the then Northern Ireland Assembly voted not to proceed with legislation to introduce an opt out system for organ donation.

However, in December 2018, my Department launched a Policy Statement, “Promoting Human Organ Donation and Transplantation in Northern Ireland”, which has the two primary objectives of encouraging positive actions and behaviours in relation to organ donation and developing appropriate training for healthcare professionals to increase levels of consent.

Work on implementing the Policy Statement got underway last year with the establishment of an Organ Donation Steering Group to oversee its implementation. Arrangements are also being finalised to appoint a Regional Organ Donation Promotion Manager/Co-Ordinator, whose role will involve encouraging positive behaviours in relation to organ donation, including working with local councils, and to establish a sub-group for charities to further help to implement the Policy Statement.

I am also keen to keep the issue of a soft opt out system for organ donation under close review.