Member's statement: Organ Donation

Member's statement by Ms Sian Mulholland on 23 September 2025.

MLA

Ms Sian Mulholland

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

23 September 2025

Type

Member's statement

Business

Members' Statements

Heading

Organ Donation

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5129108

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I will talk about organ donation, given that it is Organ Donation Week. It is life-changing. It is an act of generosity that can be tinged with joy and grief, depending on the circumstances. Across the UK, 8,000 people are waiting for a transplant, and 276 of them are children. However, only 1% of deaths happen in circumstances that could even allow donation. As Anthony Clarkson from NHS Blood and Transplant put it:

"You are more likely to need a transplant than you ever are to be a donor."

That really hits home for me when I think about my family and my wee ones. The truth is that any of us in the Chamber could need a transplant at some point. In Northern Ireland, our waiting list has risen to 163 people. Last year, 44 deceased donors enabled 123 transplants, and 68 living donors stepped up, including one of our civil servants who work alongside the Communities Committee this year. However, eight people in Northern Ireland died while still waiting. Those are eight funerals that I would rather had not happened, and I am sure that we all feel the same. That said, there is a lot that we can be proud of. Ninety per cent of people here support organ donation, and 59% of us are on the register. That is the highest in the UK. Normally, when we look at statistics across these islands, we see that Northern Ireland is usually lagging behind but not this time. That is testament to Dáithí's law. It is making a difference. Máirtín, his daddy, said that Dáithí's law is already playing a role in saving people's lives, but there is more to do. He is right, because, while deemed consent helps, families still need to be part of that discussion. They are far more likely to say yes when they know and have had that conversation with their loved one about what they wanted. Therefore, I take the opportunity today to beg people to please register, tell your family, have that conversation and leave them certain of your wishes. For families, losing a loved one is already a really torturous time, and leaving them with one less thing to worry about can help. Máirtín also put it really perfectly when he said:

"What could have been an avoided subject is now part of everyday conversations in schools, homes and communities".

That culture shift is precious. He reminds us of the humanity behind it all and the human heart of the work. He said of donors and their families that:

"Their bravery and compassion by thinking of others in their darkest hour makes them true heroes".

I agree with every word. I also take the opportunity to pay tribute to an fear beag cróga

that is Mr Dáithí and the smiley wee face that I sometimes see in Ballycastle when he is up for his holidays. He is a little boy who has used the toughest of circumstances to change the world around him. This week, please have that conversation with your families.

512 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 13:10 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification