The Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Act, known as ‘Dáithí’s Law’ in honour of six-year-old Dáithí Mac Gabhann, will come into operation tomorrow (Thursday), meaning all adults in Northern Ireland will be considered organ donors unless they opt out or are in a defined, excluded group.

“’Dáithí’s Law’ is a reminder of Assembly's power to take the lead on issues and, fundamentally, to do good,” said Ms Bradshaw.

“The legislation ultimately itself took too long because of past suspensions to the Executive, but it demonstrates what a functioning legislative Assembly can do on the local issues which matter to local people.

“The passage of this legislation was a good day for the Assembly, even if the requirement for Westminster intervention also demonstrated the limitations of a system which enables a single-party veto over the very functioning of the Assembly itself.

“It should be emphasised at this point there is no excuse either for a veto on the Assembly’s operation to be available, nor for it to be applied. We need a functioning Assembly doing good on local issues for local people, such as 'Dáithí’s Law’.