Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I know we discussed disability and issues around coercion, but I was always struck by the New Zealand legislation. One of the main paragraphs concerned those who could not qualify for assisted dying being those of advanced age, those with a disability and those with mental health grounds. I fundamentally agree with that. Others may not, and I know we need to have a very nuanced and progressive debate on this.

Again, it comes down to the choice of an individual, and a say in how a person dies. That is the fundamental right. That is what this committee has to grapple with, and hopefully, at the end, it can recommend some progression regarding situations that people find themselves in. There is no getting away from it. Some people coming to the end of their lives will have a very difficult end. There is no doubt about that, and in that situation, the law should be on their side with regard to hastening that end. That can only be done legally, medically and, fundamentally, as a voluntary decision by the person themselves.

Is there evidence that people can be coerced where assisted dying has been legislated for? The evidence is not there. Where assisted dying has been legislated for such as in certain European countries, certain states in America, New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere, the evidence is not there with regard to people being coerced. It is just not there. Show me where it is. It is not there. Models are not perfect, but we need to have a framework in place where people can have a choice. Again, that is a fundamental right.