A new organ donation system in Northern Ireland could save around 180 lives each year if it becomes law.
Health Minister Robin Swann said today that a new "soft opt-out" system of organ donation could potentially provide an additional 10 to 20 donors each year.
The law would mean everyone in Northern Ireland automatically becomes an organ donor, unless they specifically state otherwise.
However, family consent will still be sought for any organ donation.
Mr Swann said that a donor brings forward an average of seven to nine organs.
"180 lives could potentially be changed because of this piece of legislation", he said.
Last night it was announced that the long-awaited law received Executive approval and will now progress through the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Donate for Dáithí
Today, the family of a 4-year-old boy who is waiting on a new heart, met with the Health Minister, along with Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers to discuss the legislation.
Dáithí MacGabhann from Belfast was born with a condition called hypo-plastic left heart syndrome.
He was given less than a 10% chance of survival and had his first open heart surgery at 4 days old, and a further surgery at 10 days old.
His family says that Dáithí needs the gift of a new heart and are behind the "Donate 4 Dáithí" campaign.
Dáithí's father Mairtín said it was a very emotional and happy day.
He said he was confident the legislation would go through, and that a similar law in England had increased organ donation by almost 30%.
"Imagine if we could have a fraction of that", he said.
"That for us, is hope. Hope is all we have. Hope is anything we've ever had. We are just so delighted and so proud of our wee Dáithí, that his wee smile has united all those on the hill."
Mairtín said it has been a very difficult journey for their family.
"We're not where we want to be at the moment, because he does need the gift of a new heart".
"We will now take the opportunity and use the momentum that we have, and the momentum that we deserve to make sure that this life-saving legislation gets through".
Executive Support
Northern Ireland's First Minister Paul Givan and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill supported the bill.
Paul Givan said he was "delighted" that it is progressing and that he believes it "will make a real difference".
"What it's about is people like Dáithí, people that are in need of that life saving organ", he said.
Mr Givan said that in the interim, people should still be encouraged to sign up to become an organ donor.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the legislation was "powerful".
"Dáithí is the face of this legislation. He's what it's all about. It's about families who find themselves in this situation, familes who are desperately seeking support and need that vital organ. None of us know wheneve we are going to be in that position", she said.
She welcomed the progression of the bill and said it was a demonstration of "good politics" and "politics in action".
It's anticipated that the Health committee can begin its scrutiny work on this before the summer recess, and it will reach its final stages early next year.
The Health Minister said that it "should be a smooth process" to get the law through, because it now has the support of all parties, and the First and Deptuy First Ministers, but added that "there will be challenges".
The head of the British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland welcomed the decision by the Stormont leaders to sign off on this draft legislation to allow it to progress.
However, Fearghal McKinney said "we must not get complacent".
"This is just the start of the process. This Assembly's mandate will run out next year and we have no time to waste.
"One person's decision to donate their organs is a gift that can save and improve the lives of up to nine other people. We believe a change in the legislation, along with a strengthened health system and a public information campaign will lead to more people receiving the gift of a donated organ.
"We look forward to engaging with our elected representatives on soft opt-out organ donation in the year ahead."
