Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Professor O'Neill for his excellent and thought-provoking presentation. It was quite different from many of the presentations we have received.

I agree the majority of people who die in Ireland, do so with dignity. I think of Marymount Hospice, one of the most cherished and popular charities in Cork when it comes to fundraising. It holds a special place in people's hearts in Cork. This discussion is in the context of a Private Members' Bill on this issue in the previous Dáil. There are advocates in favour of assisted suicide, many of whom are coming at it from their own experiences with family members and are well-intentioned. Their motivations are not difficult to understand.

In discussing this, the committee is trying to see what legislative basis might or might not be put in place for such a framework. There is a policy and broader end involved, which requires standards, safeguards and criteria. Professor O'Neill is coming at this from an ethical point of view. Does he believe it is ever moral to assist somebody in a suicide? Is it always immoral to assist suicide?