I would like to pay tribute to Frank Deasy for speaking out publicly about his illness and the importance of organ donation. The huge focus and attention he brought to the issue in the past week is one of his many legacies. I found his openness and courage particularly moving.

Organ transplantation is a miracle of modern science which transforms the lives of thousands of people in Europe every year, who would otherwise have died. However, the facts show us that organ donation is a rare and precious gift. Out of a population of almost 500 million in Europe, there were just over 8,000 organ donors in 2007. Thousands die each year waiting for an organ transplant.

The question of organ donation occurs at a time of tragedy and great emotional distress for a family. However, I believe that their act of donation brings some comfort to the family through the knowledge that their decision will have saved up to five other lives. We know from recent figures for Ireland that even when potential donors are identified, their families and next of kin can be left facing the dilemma of not knowing what the wishes of a deceased donor were. Of 138 potential donors identified in the course of a year only 13 had donor cards, and in another eight cases the next of kin could not consent because they were unsure of the patient's wishes.

That is the reason why I believe it is better for people and families to discuss organ donation long before a tragedy occurs. Discussing with family and carrying an organ donor card are ways of showing our relatives what our wishes are in the event of our death.

Personally, I would like to see an organ donor symbol printed on our driving licences indicating our wish to be an organ donor, given that so many people have driving licences. Research in Ireland has shown that one reason why families do not give consent to organ donation is that they are not sure of the wishes of their deceased relative. A donor driving licence could help a family make a decision at a very difficult time.

Some people have suggested a system of "presumed consent" for organ donation, and this is one of the options I am looking at in the context of preparing new legislation around the whole issue of organ donation and transplantation, which I hope to publish this autumn. However, Ireland already has the seventh highest rate of organ donation in the EU, which shows that people are willing to act altruistically and voluntarily within our current "opt-in" system.

Finally, I would urge people to discuss the issue of organ donation today so that their wishes are known by their families in the event of a tragedy. I hope that the moving words of Frank Deasy make a difference and more people choose to be organ donors.