Ireland falling behind other countries in organ donation

Ireland has fallen way behind its European counterparts when it comes to organ donation, according to figures being published today at the start of Organ Donor Awareness Week.

The Irish Kidney Association says Ireland has fallen from third to 11th in recent years in a European league table of donors.

It says 600 people are currently awaiting kidney, heart, liver and lung transplants in Ireland.

The association is urging more members of the public to carry organ donor cards, saying at present, Irish people are three times more likely to end up on a transplant waiting list than to become a donor.