Dr. Siobh?n N? Bhriain:

The Senator is absolutely right: it is a very difficult and sensitive question to answer. I would like to go back to the fact that we do not want to conflate the issues of assisted dying and suicide. That is very important. The evidence base is for suicide - not for assisted suicide or assisted dying. That brings us back to the space of what safeguarding is about, as well as what is in and out of the scope of safeguarding in this particular context. It also brings us back to the fact that if the legislation were to be introduced, safeguarding must considered as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny, in addition to what comes in and out of the scope of safeguarding. In this particular context, it does need to be very specific and fit for purpose. I also refer to Dr. Crowley’s comments. If we were to introduce this legislation, the research and monitoring component of it would be critical.