Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

If we are honest about it, we will continue to have inadequate services, particularly with regard to mental health but also the other things Dr. Dalton has described as being part of a person being able to have capacity in some truly objective way. We are now talking about a very radical and final decision, the decision to end one's life, and this is predicated on the idea that a person can reach some kind of state of independence. However, I believe what everyone is saying is that you do not have that independence in the absence of proper societal facilities to enable you. If you are poor and do not have sufficient access to healthcare or if you do not have a strong family network, you are a vulnerable person. Is there then a greater risk associated with an attempt to legislate for assisted suicide given how fundamental and final that decision is? In other words, do you not need a much stronger healthcare network to be sure you are able to help people have the capacity to make such a decision?