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DUP again blocks formation of Northern Ireland Assembly as attempt to pass organ donation law fails

Politicians in Northern Ireland were today attempting to change the law in order to make organ donation opt-out.

Named for six-year-old Daithi MacGabhann, who is waiting for a heart transplant, the law would bring the nation into line with the rest of the UK.

But Stormont was unable to consider the matter, as the DUP again blocked powersharing.

The unionist party has refused to take part in proceedings in protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The arrangement, which avoids a hard border on the island of Ireland, has put a trading border between the island of Ireland and Great Britain in the Irish Sea.

Daithi and his parents Mairtin MacGabhann and Seph Ni Mheallain were watching on as the politicians failed to start the session.

Mr MacGabhann said they had a little hope that something would change on Valentine’s Day, but there was no shift.

He has said he will now pursue the case at Westminster.

The Northern Ireland Assembly voted to pass the law last year, but has not been able to implement the changes.

The DUP say they also support the law – and want MPs in Westminster to act.

“The DUP supports organ donation, we encourage people to sign up to the register and we support this legislation from being brought into being,” former DUP first minister Paul Givansaid said.

“But the secretary of state and the other parties in this chamber know the position that the DUP takes in terms of the restoration of these institutions.”

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill said that not passing the legislation was a “dereliction of duty – and it’s really disheartening for all those families involved”.