Speaking during George Foulkes' Members' debate on organ donation, the local Cumbernauld and Kilsyth MSP argued that the current opt-in system of organ donation is unable to meet the increasing demands upon it.

Cathie Craigie MSP said:

"Most people accept that the nature of organ transplantation has changed and that, these days, the treatment can not only save people's lives but give many of them the opportunity to live fuller lives. For years, there have been campaigns to encourage folk to register as donors. As statistics highlighted this evening show, some of those campaigns have been successful in raising public awareness of the need for donors. Unfortunately, as members have pointed out and as briefings that we have received make clear, there never seem to be enough organs to meet the needs of the people on the waiting list for transplants."

"I firmly believe that the time is right for the debate to move on and for the introduction of mechanisms to allow the UK to move towards a presumed consent system with all the safeguards and guidance suggested by the BMA."

"As has been said, families who are faced with the sudden death of a loved one are not always in a position to think clearly and openly, and they feel vulnerable. In my opinion, that is when professionally trained people, who know how to deal with the difficult questions, need to be called in. I have spoken to families who lost loved ones suddenly and who greatly regret that they did not choose to offer their loved one's organs for transplantation. I have also spoken to people who have given the organs of their loved one for transplantation and who find great comfort in that."

"I have close friends and family who have received organ donations. My husband had a kidney transplant, thankfully he has had the kidney for the past 14 years. Not a day goes by when I do not think of and thank the donor family."