Call it what you will, but Seanad showdown may help save lives

Fianna Fáil’s forced recall of the Seanad to debate legislation on organ transplantation may well go down in the history books as successful political opportunism.

Debate on the issue of organ donation has continued for two weeks in the media. But this has been regularly peppered with rows over the recall of the Seanad for a day.

Yesterday’s close vote of 23 against and 22 to annul an EU directive on organ donation will be seen as a victory by the opposition. Fianna Fáil forced the Government senators to break off their holidays and to raise debate on a worthy issue.