Dr. Regina McQuillan:

I am here partly on behalf of the Irish Palliative Medicine Consultants Association. This is not something we have surveyed our members about. If somebody is dying, and I have been with people who are dying, it is a very difficult situation because it is very difficult to see that this will be an option. I have dealt with people who are dying who have decided not to eat and drink, and I have stayed with those people. I have offered them as much help as they would accept - anything is really important. I have stayed with people who have made these type of decisions about stopping active treatment, including stopping eating and drinking. It important to do that.