Mr. John Wall:

I would like to see the statistics stating that all such professionals are pretty unanimous. There is very varied commentary from all aspects of healthcare professionals, those in palliative care included, to suggest that very many are open to having the conversation. A group of more than 100 Irish doctors have publicly stated their support for the principle of assisted dying. I have received palliative care. It has given me the quality of life that I currently enjoy. I have nothing but respect for the healthcare and palliative care services. Progressing this to a point beyond discussion at committee can only be done collectively through the voice of everyone concerned. That is the voice of every citizen in this country, most especially that of the palliative care services.

We are very fortunate that the service provided by those in palliative care services in Ireland is second to none. They are absolutely incredible and excellent. However, we all know people who, despite the best care in the world, have suffered an undignified passing through no fault of the services involved, which have done their best. I have seen it in recent years on a number of occasions and it is very distressing. If we are to focus the conversation momentarily and look at those people, not in isolation but for the purposes of this example, no one wanted them to suffer and the palliative care services did all they could do. I am thinking of one person who suffered for three days at the end. A lot of pain was involved and nothing could be done other than wait.

It is that waiting that we need to avoid where possible, should that person, having had the capacity to consent at a point in time, wish to do so, and should a panel approve that person's wish to do so. There are many elements to this. It is not just something that one would seek to get and have the wish granted. Absolutely not.