Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Alan Farrell.

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This committee discusses dying, including suicide. Support information can be found on the committee's web page.

Before moving to the agenda for today, on my own behalf and that of the secretariat, I wish all of the members every good health and happiness in the coming year of 2024, which will be a challenging year. It will probably be an election year of some sort. We wish everybody good luck. I also warmly welcome our witnesses today.

Our agenda item today is on the topic of engagement with people with disabilities. It is part of the module examining the potential consequences of assisted dying. We welcome Mr. Peter Kearns, development officer of Independent Living Movement of Ireland, ILMI; and Mr. John Dolan, CEO of the Disability Federation of Ireland, DFI. We are grateful for them giving their time and sharing their knowledge and expertise with the committee.

The format for this meeting is that members will ask questions after all of the witnesses have given their opening statements. A member can ask a question of an individual or address a question to witnesses more generally. I ask that all witnesses keep their opening statements to the agreed five minutes. I invite Mr. Kearns to give his opening statement.