Mr. John Wall:

It is initially a massive missed opportunity. As Mr. Ahern said, how many people succumb to having to resort to other methods, however, whatever or wherever they may be, because something is unavailable?

I have seen good friends pass away. I have seen good friends suffer completely unnecessarily. We ask the question, when do you know the end is nigh? How do you legislate for that? How do you put that in writing? I am not sure if there are medics among us. That is something for the medical community to decide. Sometimes you do not have to be a medic. I have sat with people for whom, barring an absolute miracle of monumental proportions, it was literally a matter of days. They are the people I look at, and I am thinking of one couple in particular. It was absolutely harrowing to watch. Everything that could have been done was done. This is an opportunity for all of us to make that transition from this to wherever the next is going to be, to make it something dignified - a dignified passing, a dignified death - bearing in mind that it is not just for that person but also for their loved ones and their family members. Regardless of what side of this debate we are on, I do not think any of us want anyone to suffer needlessly at that point in time, when passing is absolutely inevitable. If suffering can be avoided, it is up to us to ensure that happens.