A consultation conference has been held in Dublin to discuss ways to improve the level of organ donation and reduce the transplant waiting list.
Representatives from patient support groups, hospitals, health officials and the Oireachtas debated a range of options being considered by the Government, which plans to publish the heads of a Human Tissue Bill on the issue next month.
Three options are being considered, with the first involving a system whereby a person is presumed to have consented to organ donation after death, unless they have specifically 'opted out'.
The other options are a requirement under law to have stated one's wishes to donate or not, or maintaining the existing voluntary 'opt-in' system.
The Irish Kidney Association has expressed its opposition to an opt-out system.
Around 60 people attended today's conference in Dublin Castle, which is organised by the Department of Health and is being held in private.
Members of the public have until 28 February to make submissions to the Department of Health on the issue.
