Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Higgins for facilitating my earlier absence. I also thank our witnesses for coming before us.

My only outstanding question at this stage, and I apologise if I missed any of our witnesses' remarks, relates to limited criteria that might apply. Deputy Lahart has covered a lot of the territory I had questions about, including the complexity of life and illnesses and the rationale behind making such an informed decision if assisted dying were available and legal in this jurisdiction. My only question is, if such a scenario were to arise, what limitations would the witnesses apply? If they feel they have not covered the ground already, perhaps they will use the time left to answer that question. It relates to the point Deputy Lahart made quite well regarding that complex scenario where an individual's quality of life is so limited, and that person is in so much pain he or she has made an informed decision with his or her significant other, that he or she is not able to get out of bed and maybe cannot speak.

All sorts of different conditions are associated with being in a bed for a long period. I regret to say I have a very personal account of that with a beloved member of my family who is now deceased. I struggle with part of the entire debate we have been having for the past few months, namely, what do you do when an individual is living but not by any quality or measure anyone in this committee room would be willing to suffer for any length of time? That is the intrinsic question we must ask of ourselves. I would very much like to hear from all three witnesses if they have something to contribute in reply to my remarks.