Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak to this important motion and thank Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell and her colleagues for tabling it.
There is no escaping death and there is little point in trying to do so, at least until some future time when cryogenic technology allows us to freeze ourselves. However, death is traumatic, stressful and costly. Other speakers focused on elderly people, but the subject of end-of-life care issues is not confined to people of a particular age. Having buried a friend, I realise it is not something for which we can ever be prepared. In respect of the educational and cultural aspects of bereavement, I used to laugh at my father and called him a coffin chaser when he listened to the death notices, but when it came to my own experience, I was not ready to organise flowers and put on black clothes to attend a funeral service. Growing up, one experiences one's granny or grandad passing away. It is in our mind that death affects the older generation, but we also need to consider that end-of-life and bereavement can happen at any age. I refer to Donal Walsh and the example he showed in concentrating on the importance of life.
I do not know if other Senators have read the book, Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom which contains lessons on how to live. I was reminded of that book when I read the motion. Even though the protagonist in the book, Professor Morrie Schwartz, was prepared for death and imparting lessons to the author, Mr. Albom, he was nonetheless fearful as his condition deteriorated towards the end. For someone who was previously independent, losing the ability to dance had a particular impact on him.
Other speakers referred to the legal and financial aspects of bereavement. I have two brothers and always tease my parents about what they will be leaving us in their will. This is an issue which people often neglect. I get on very well with my brothers, but that is not to say if, God forbid, something were to happen to my parents, we could not fall out with each other. People need to be aware of this issue.
The fact that we have an ageing population gives rise to challenges. Combined with high levels of emigration in recent times, there could be profound implications for the way in which the parents of today enter their final days. There is a danger that some of them will be left alone and devoid of the support of their extended family and bedside care provided by sons and daughters.

It is very difficult, if one's loved one is in another country, to deal with his or her loss or illness. I am very happy to support this motion, and I welcome the fact that the amendment has been withdrawn.

The Irish Hospice Foundation published a report last year entitled Access to Specialist Palliative Care Services and Place of Death in Ireland - What the Data Tells Us. It examines the empirical aspects of this shortage of palliative care. One of the findings was that where one lives impacts on how one spends one's final days. There is regional inequity in resource allocation. The report estimates that 2,470 people are denied admission to hospice beds in Ireland each year. While this motion considers aspects apart from the health issues, there is much to be said for the hospice approach to death and dying. Senator van Turnhout mentioned the home approach. I am aware of hospices where people have their own things around them so that they are not alienated and can have comfort in their last months or days. We need support for families in bereavement. As Senator Ó Murchú said, in the initial stages of grief we are very good at helping one another, but weeks and months down the line, when people stop making the tea or calling in, we have to deal with the grief. We need to consider that.

I thank Senator O'Donnell for introducing this motion forward. We need to keep it on the agenda, because death happens and it affects everyone. I welcome the Minister of State's comments.