Dr. Diarmuid Quinlan:

Deputy Kenny is absolutely correct. GPs are involved with their patients from birth throughout their lifetime until their death. Our engagement with members has made it very clear that some members are in support of assisted dying and others are equally strongly opposed to it. Many of our members are in the middle. They are conflicted in that they see the professional obligation of a doctor is to support patients.

They have their own personal moral beliefs, which are very strongly held in, which fed into the conscientious objection piece that we have discussed. There is a tension between a doctor's and GP's personal views, his or her professional obligations and the professional role. That tension is there and our role is to support all our members with education so we can help them explore and come to a better understanding of the ethical, legal and moral implications for them personally, for the profession and for patients in assisted dying.