The ban on gay men donating blood looks set to be lifted.
The Blood Transfusion Service Board has made the recommendation to government.
It wants men who have sex with men to be allowed donate 12 months after having intercourse with a five year deferral for those who've suffered from a Sexually Transmitted Infection.
Simon Harris says the new one year deferral system will bring Ireland in line with the rules in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
It's not yet known when the new rules will come into place however Brian Sheehan of GLEN says it's positive news for the LGBT community:
