Thank you, Dame Rosie, for the opportunity to speak on these amendments. I will keep my remarks brief and to the point.
I commend the Secretary of State for tabling these amendments. He noted on several occasions that they are exceptional but are the right thing to do. They will allow for the exceptional transformation of our organ donation laws in Northern Ireland. I commend the Speaker’s Office for its efforts to ensure that the passage of the amendments could happen in this form.
We often hear that this Parliament is sovereign. I am taking heart today from the fact that this is law that will help to protect and save lives, which is an encouraging move by this Government and this Parliament that sends out a strong message across the United Kingdom. The Secretary of State and I differed on the abortion laws that were tacked on to the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019, as those laws were very much not about protecting life. This law is about protecting life, which is wonderful.
3.30 pm
Just before the Committee started, I sent a little message to Dáithí’s dad to ask, “What is your message today?” He wants to encourage everyone to have a conversation about organ donation and to share their
wishes with their loved ones. The legislative framework will by the end of today be in place, but those conversations still need to happen. I encourage this message to go forth from this Chamber to every household that is listening in and has been inspired by Dáithí and his family: have that serious conversation and ensure that your loved ones know your wishes on organ donation.
I congratulate the family once again, and I assure them of our thoughts and prayers in the days, weeks and months ahead as Dáithí continues on his medical journey and as he moves towards getting his new heart.