Senator denies organ donation debate a stunt

A senator demanding the recall of the Seanad so it can debate controversial organ donation legislation has denied doing it to boost the image of the upper house.

As Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Paddy Burke signalled he would sanction the return of the chamber during its summer break, Senator Mark Daly insisted the move was intended to change health policy, not aid the anti-abolition cause in the run-up to the October referendum.

Mr Daly has won the required backing of one third of his colleagues for the recall, which should happen within 10-21 days of it being agreed by Mr Burke.

The FF senator is able to demand the return of the Seanad — due to be on holiday until September 18 — because the relevant legislation is under an EU directive. Mr Daly says the organ donation law was badly put together and was never debated in the Oireachtas.

He wants the legislation changed to create a single authority to handle organ donations.

Fine Gael, however, accused him of presiding over a “stunt” that will prove expensive for taxpayers.

Any change to the law would require annulling the current legislation before Aug 27 as it cannot be repealed once it passes its first anniversary. As the Dáil would also need to be recalled to do this, Government TDs have criticised the move as unrealistic.

For the Dáil to be recalled during its nine-week summer break, it would need 55 deputies to petition the Ceann Comhairle.