Minister Varadkar said: "This is a great achievement for the Mater and for Irish medicine. I want to congratulate everyone involved including surgeons, physicians, nurses and support staff, who have worked hard as a team to raise our lung transplant rates. The impact of their work on the lives of their patients is immense."

"I am heartened that the 2013 level of transplantation is being maintained this year to the benefit of patients, their families and friends."

Prof. Mary Day said: "The completion of the 100th lung transplant at the Mater Hospital reflects an extraordinary level of expertise and commitment from the Hospital's multi-disciplinary team involved in lung transplant over the years since the first lung transplant in 2005. We are now extremely fortunate that the transplant team is led by a  group of young, dedicated  consultants who have amassed enormous experience internationally and  whose return to Ireland and the Mater Hospital ensures our lung transplant programme compares favourably with any in the world. Our objective is to copper fasten the level and quality of care for our lung transplant patients into the next decade."

The number of transplants grew substantially in 2013 when 32 people benefited from the life-changing gift of a new lung.  More lung transplants were carried out in 2013 than for the previous four years, which saw Ireland rise from 13th place in Europe for lung transplantation to third.

Minister Varadkar paid tribute to Prof. Jim Egan, Director of Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland, for the continued progress being made in increasing kidney, heart and liver, and lung transplantation rates.  

He also paid tribute to donors and their families for their great generosity.  "I hope the benefits enjoyed by transplant recipients will continue to be a source of some consolation to families in their time of grief."