Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Thank you Ms Breen. I draw the attention of members to the comments by the actor Gabriel Byrne to Simon Carswell in The Irish Times of 13 November. Perhaps he was resonating the points made by Professor Plunkett's today. Telepathy is good.

I thank all the witnesses. Over the past number of weeks we have had six sessions to look at the end-of-life care in Ireland and what can be done to ensure that people of all ages can end his or her life in a way that is dignified. We have heard from a wide range of experts, including academics, practitioners, policy makers, advocates, service provides and charitable groups. All who appeared before this committee shared their experience with us and gave us an insight into the reality of death, the humanity in our society and also the inevitable outcome that awaits us all.

At the outset of these hearings I made the comment that we have a long tradition of dealing sympathetically and respectfully with end-of-life care and bereavement. I hope these hearing in the past number of weeks have shown the importance of that caring and respectful approach. While we have a great deal more to do, it highlights the need for the same approach to be reflected in health policy so that the health services can provide that type of end-of-life care.

Both Professors Plunkett and Twomey outlined how people die, that 25% of all deaths occur at home, the focus on hospice care, the issue of long-term residential facilities and acute hospitals. They underlined the multiplicity of places in which death occurs. However the issue that does not get noticed in public health policy is that death is a reality for all sectors in the health system, no matter what part. It is not just confined to one section. It is important that a comprehensive policy of end-of-life care be developed in which we reflect the totality of the health system and make it workable across all sectors of the health service.

One of the key points I learned from our witnesses is that providing quality and respectful end-of-life care is not just about money and resources but about care, consideration and communication, the expression of the human element and taking time to talk to people. It is very often, as has been borne out strongly today, an issue of a respectful environment for the patient, in which he or she can have conversations, say goodbyes and provide space and support for loved ones and families to grieve in the immediate aftermath of the death. As a young clerical student who spent five years studying theology I worked with Dr. Twomey in the then Cork regional hospital and now Cork University Hospital.

I do not want to be too personal. While watching him doing his ward rounds when I was a young student, I was always struck by Professor Twomey’s generosity of spirit. Even though he has retired, he is still involved with Marymount University Hospice. I did not say it at the beginning, so I will say it now. He left a legacy that stuck with me. He spoke about patients and families. I was struck by Dr. King’s reference to a body being stiff and cold. That was the one factor that resonated with me as a porter at the hospital, because the body in question was a person.

I compliment Professor Twomey on his great work in the hospital. I learned a great deal in that hospital by watching his humanity and that of his colleagues. We have heard about the whole-of-staff approach. It is impressive.

Our meetings form an important component. We must deliver a policy based on written submissions and oral hearings. We will report to the Dáil and the Government on end-of-life care. We have undertaken a positive body of work. I thank members for their co-operation, interest and vision in having this as part of our work programme for this calendar year. I thank all of the witnesses and organisations that generously gave of their time to share with the committee their invaluable experience of and insight into end-of-life care. If I may single out one person, it would be Ms Angela Edghill for the support she gave Paul, Niamh, Luke and me in co-ordinating these hearings.

This is just the end of one part of the process. The committee will discuss and publish its report and, it is hoped, have it discussed in the Dáil, leading to further work.