Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I was struck by what Professor Boer said about the difference and how we should perhaps not legalise but just decriminalise or make assisted suicide not illegal. I cannot help but feel that that could be the worst possible outcome because we are essentially allowing assisted dying but without any safeguards, without any regulation and without any of the things we are talking about, such as a meaningful way to ensure that it is voluntary and that it is the competent act of a competent mind. I am not sure about that and I want to flag it.

What I want to talk about in particular with Mr. Luley is the situation in Switzerland. Voluntary assisted dying has been available there since 1942. One of the things we see in talking about Holland with Professor Boer is that spread of who is included, who it is available for and the concerns with that, and, indeed, that has been a concern mentioned by some of the members of the committee in previous sessions. I ask Mr. Luley to speak to us about some of Switzerland's experience with that incremental expansion. Is there pressure to change? As Mr. Luley said, it is only available to someone who is of competent mind and able to act themselves. Is there pressure within Switzerland to change that at the moment?

One of the things I am curious about in regard to Dignitas in general is its engagement with family and friends, and Mr. Luley spoke of one patient who said he could not talk to his family. I would be interested in feedback on the response or engagement with the family after their family member has died, or has voluntarily sought the assistance of Dignitas in dying, and their journey afterwards, given the insight that might provide us. Any information could be very interesting.

There was an earlier question from Deputy Daly in regard to the differences between neighbourhoods that Professor Boer mentioned in his opening statement, although I am not sure it was fully explored.