Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Campbell for attending the meeting. I welcome the fact that she is a philosopher. Too often when we debate issues such as this they are defined in the context of rights and laws. Many lawyers address us, so it is interesting to hear from somebody who is examining it from a philosophical background. Dr. Campbell indicated at the outset that the origins of the debate by people who propose and promote assisted suicide can be viewed in the context of the development of the liberal tradition and of the autonomous individual. Obviously the state interfered with individuals' rights for too long. We have seen that in Ireland and how that has developed. However, if one looks at it as being the liberal tradition based on self-autonomy why can one not extend that and say that if a 22 year old autonomous man or woman wishes to end his or her life, he or she should be entitled to have assistance in doing so?