Westminster MPs have backed a new organ donation law for Northern Ireland, named after a six-year-old Belfast boy who needs a new heart.
“Dáithí's law” is likely to come into effect this summer after MPs supported an amendment to the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation Bill) during its second reading in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
Dáithí Mac Gabhann and his parents travelled to London and watched the debate from the public gallery.
The schoolboy high-fived his father as the speaker announced the vote was carried unopposed.
Máirtín Mac Gabhann said it was a “very emotional day” and he was “beyond proud” of his son and the family’s five-year campaign to change the law.
“The victory of this is finally sinking in... we didn’t think we would be here today,” he said.
Northern Secretary Mr Heaton-Harris introduced the amendment this week in what he described as an “exceptional” case.
Although the organ donation Bill was approved by Stormont’s five main political parties last February, it could not be enacted due to the collapse of the power-sharing institutions.
An attempt to recall the Assembly last week and enact Dáithí's law failed after the DUP refused to take part over its ongoing opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Addressing MPs on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Heaton-Harris paid tribute to the family’s “dedication” and “valiant effort” to bring about change.
But he said they “should not need to be here today to see this change being put in place”.
“The Assembly could and should have convened to take this across the finish line,” he added.
“I recognise that this issue is exceptional both in terms of the sheer importance it holds and also the cross-party support it commands both in Northern Ireland and this house, and on that basis – we’ve spent a lot of time going around this with the lawyers – the government has been able to table important amendments to this bill to facilitate those changes to be taken forward in the Assembly.”
Mr Heaton-Harris said Dáithí was “going to make some history today”.
“Obviously I want to see the Assembly in place, and the Assembly should have done this … I do recognise that this issue is so important that it warrants an exceptional intervention from the government.”
Shadow Northern Ireland minister Tonia Antoniazzi said: “I want to say thank you to Dáithí, he’s an inspirational little boy, and I’m not sure he knows yet quite how much of a difference he and his family have made across Northern Ireland, because frankly he has made history.”
[ ‘Dáithí’s Law’: DUP vetos attempt to restore Stormont to pass organ donation lawOpens in new window ]
The Bill is expected to receive Royal Assent and become law on March 6th. However, it will not be introduced for another three months.
The new law will bring the North into line with the UK by introducing a soft “opt-out” system, which means people automatically become organ donors after their death unless they state otherwise.
Conservative MP Simon Hoare, chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, said he supported the change, but added: “There is follow-up work that needs to be done on a public information campaign in order to ensure maximum understanding of it and take-up of the opportunities that it provides.”
SDLP MP Claire Hanna addressed Dáithí and his family in Irish from the chamber.
She said: “You should be so proud of all that you’ve achieved together.
“You’ve been a hero to so many people and we all just hope that you get good news and that you get a new heart soon, and that we’re all with you.”
DUP MP Carla Lockhart told the Commons the law was about “protecting life and I think that is absolutely wonderful”.
