Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Act 2024

Chapter 4

Independent panel

Independent panel for certain cases of living donation of organs and tissue and cells

27. (1) Subject to section 28 , the Minister shall establish and maintain a panel of suitable persons (in this Part referred to as the “Panel”) for the purposes of considering applications for donations by living persons of organs and tissues and cells relating to—

(a) the donation of an organ from a non-directed altruistic donor,

(b) the donation of regenerative tissues and cells from an adult who lacks capacity, and

(c) the donation of regenerative tissues and cells from a living child.

(2) The members of the Panel shall be appointed on a part-time basis for such term, not exceeding 4 years, as the Minister may determine and a member may be reappointed by the Minister for an additional term.

(3) A member of the Panel shall be entitled to be paid such fees or allowances for expenses as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, determines.

(4) A member of the Panel may at any time resign by giving notice in writing to the Minister of his or her resignation.

(5) A resignation under subsection (4) takes effect on the day on which the Minister receives the notice.

(6) The Minister may at any time remove from office a member of the Panel if, in the opinion of the Minister—

(a) the member has become incapable through ill-health of effectively performing his or her functions,

(b) the member has committed stated misbehaviour, or

(c) the removal of the member appears to the Minister to be necessary for the effective performance by the Panel of its functions.

(7) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Panel shall be independent and impartial in the performance of its functions.

(8) The Minister shall provide such support of an administrative nature to the Panel as the Minister considers necessary to enable the Panel to perform its functions.