Sinn Féin urges Government to lift gay blood donor ban

The Government has been urged by Sinn Féin to follow the example of the Northern Ireland Executive and lift the ban on gay men donating blood.

Minister for Health Simon Harris said a report from an advisory committee is to be considered by the board of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) later this month.

The Department of Health would then consider how to proceed following the recommendations of the IBTS.

Sinn Féin said it was time to follow the lead of the Executive and lift the ban.

Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly insisted that there was no need for a delay in making the decision.

She said the ban could be lifted by way of ministerial order and urged Mr Harris to follow the lead of the newly appointed Minister for Health in the North, Michelle O’Neill.

Follow the lead

Ms O'Reilly said: "It is past time that this ban was lifted and we are calling on Minister Harris to follow the lead of his counterpart in the Northern Assembly and lift this ban.

“We understand that this has been recommended by a conference of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, but it requires the sanction of the Minister for Health.

“Therefore, Minister Harris should follow the good example set by Michelle O’Neill and end this discriminatory ban now,” she said.

Fianna Fáil spokesman on health Billy Kelleher said there was a need for an all-Ireland approach to this issue.

He said Ireland had passed the marriage equality referendum and equality across the island was needed.

Mr Kelleher said: “Minister Harris needs to address this issue. It is right to wait for the report to be issued but there should be no delay in implementing its recommendations.”

Developments

In a statement a spokeswoman for Mr Harris said: "The Minister notes the developments in Northern Ireland in relation to the lifting of the ban on gay men giving blood.

“The board of the IBTS will consider a report from its medical advisory committee at its June board meeting and will submit its recommendation on this issue to the department following this meeting.”