Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank our expert witnesses again. The information is all very helpful. It is noteworthy that countries that have legalised assisted dying, particularly in recent years, have been giving themselves an A grade for compliance and safety. Professor White's definition of safety was very helpful. With regard to examining eligibility, are systems able to ensure that only those who are eligible can obtain access? I am wondering whether it is actually possible to measure. I would be glad to hear from Professor MacLeod, with whom I sympathise because of the late hour in his country, and also Professor White. Surely there are things that are very difficult to measure if talking about an evidence-based approach. When we have palliative care experts coming in here saying they are really worried that the relationship between the doctor and patient would be changed, and when medical people are saying they are worried attitudes to palliative care will be changed among those who fund healthcare, such that it would be seen as economically advantageous to promote euthanasia or assisted suicide, we worry that, over the longer term, people will come to feel a burden and that there will be less sympathy for those with disabilities who fight on. We heard from a disability activist in recent weeks who talked about people asking why they continue living or why they do not end their life. Is it not fair to say we do not have the research on all these questions and that, in fact, it is very difficult for Professor White, looking at Australia, which has legalised assisted dying only relatively recently, to predict how things will change over time as a result of the legislation. Does he have any evidence that can reassure people there will not be a big change in attitudes over time?