David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Kearns and Mr. Dolan and thank them for their evidence. Their opening statements made an important contribution. As Senator Mullen stated, they rightly focused on what they saw as the positives of what this committee could do and recommend and what the political system could do for people with disabilities to deal with the impediments and challenges that still exist in terms of denying them the right to live with dignity. The witnesses put to us an important set of challenges when they outlined those difficulties and impediments, which still exist for people with disabilities through no fault of their own and because the State has not stepped in.

Mr. Dolan made the important point that there was a distinction to be made between recommending legislative changes on assisted dying and making policy recommendations. Both opening statements gave us a list of policy recommendations that I hope will find their way into the report once we conclude our work. I thank the witnesses for that contribution. I do not disagree with any of their recommendations. As Mr. Dolan stated, we have travelled some road in respect of the UN protocol, but there is still a long road ahead. Many promises that were made have not been delivered on and many rights that have been enshrined in law have not been resourced or funded. We can legislate for rights, but if we do not fund them, they are of no real consequence to the people who want to be on the receiving end of them.

Given all of that, I wish to ask both witnesses a question that is pertinent to our role. We can make policy recommendations on living with dignity, which I hope we will do, but we also have to deal with the issue of assisted dying, with all of its complexities and difficulties. It is not easy for society generally to have these conversations. As Mr. Dolan stated, no one ever wants to be in a situation where he or she has to make that choice. Do the witnesses believe it is possible to legislate for assisted dying while putting in place safeguards to deal with unintended consequences? Is this something that their organisations have considered or have the witnesses personal views on the matter? Is it possible to put in place legislation that would allow for assisted dying while providing the safeguards for which many have called?