Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their insightful statements and submissions. In his statement, Professor Jones said that to introduce a measure in Ireland would be a radical and unprecedented change if it enabled assisted dying. I agree that it would be radical and unprecedented. He went on to say that countries that have introduced assisted dying in some form have abandoned the principle of healthcare ethics and accepted that some lives are unworthy of life. That is a very strong statement. My genuine impression of the healthcare professionals and others with whom we have had the opportunity to discuss this issue both inside and outside the committee room is that they are very compassionate people who have an understanding and are trying to support those who are effectively making the decision themselves. I certainly would not accept that a decision is made that a person's life is unworthy. I want to make that point. I accept the point that there is a concern about a possible normalisation as time goes on.

Professor Madden spoke about the principle of respect for autonomy. People have different and unique perspectives on their autonomy and what they can withstand or withhold. That has to come into this. When talking about palliative care, one of our previous witnesses, Dr. Louise Campbell, said that denying access to assistance in dying can be unethical because it condemns some people to a worse death. We have to take that into consideration as well.

I have the research that Professor Jones referenced. The Irish Hospice Foundation gave us a copy of it. I have to say that it is a concern, and it is something society has to take on board, that 59% of people in Oregon basically made the decision because they felt they were a burden on family, friends and caregivers, and 7.4% were concerned about the financial implications of treatment. The figure for Canada was 34%. It is a concern and it is one that we have to take on board.

I have a question for the three witnesses. We have spoken previously about health workers having a right to conscientious objection in jurisdictions where assisted dying is legal.

Do the witnesses believe that where healthcare providers have an objection, there should be a legal onus on them to refer to another doctor or healthcare practitioner? That is, of course, in a situation where assisted dying was allowed here. Last week, a witness suggested that a new group of specialists be put in place and the matter would be its prerogative once a request was made. Would that be feasible?