Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the panel for their presentations and their ongoing work. I have two brief questions only because the presentations were very good in terms of recommendations for us to consider. It was said that the potential expenditure each year could be €1.3 billion. Could the witnesses elaborate a little more in that regard? They said it is not in the interests of patients, the health service or anyone. Are we wasting money, doing the wrong things with it or is it purely an issue of general management following on from a strategy? I would welcome more information in that regard.

There was brief reference to the right to die and euthanasia as a policy. Could I get a general view from witnesses on the matter? I do not advocate euthanasia but I am interested in the views of witnesses on the issue because there have been some high profile cases in recent years in the courts and the committee could benefit from hearing the views of professionals in the end-of-life area.