Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for attending. We are nearing the end of a long process and there have been difficult contributions and difficult learning. A common thread is that the point at which someone dies is important but the way in which they die is equally important. We have all had experience of bereavements within our families and circles, and the difference between those who have a good palliative care experience and those who do not is very stark. There is no doubt we need to have a better palliative care system in this country, regardless of where we go with this. I cannot praise enough St. Brigid's Hospice in the Curragh, which gives the most incredible palliative care for those who are, it is strange to say, fortunate in this way. Obviously, nearing the end of life is not a fortunate place to be in, but places are very limited, so at least in Kildare we have that facility. Deputy Troy was talking about palliative care in the midlands, and while there are plans for a palliative care centre in Tullamore that is going to cater for four counties, there is nothing at the moment. We definitely need to go a lot further.

Dr. Ní Bhriain might clarify something. She was talking about how in cases where a patient with cancer has thoughts of suicide, their mental health needs to be checked. I understand that, but it threw me somewhat because in some of our discussions, there has been a lot of talk about whether people with mental health issues should be in a position to ask for assisted dying if it were in place. Was Dr Ní Bhriain suggesting that if assisted dying were in place and somebody felt they could not deal with their present situation and the prognosis, and if it were diagnosed that they had a mental health issue because they had suicidal ideation, that be used to block their request? It is a hypothetical question.

I fully appreciate that the Department and the HSE are in the business of policy implementation and that they cannot really at this point have a view on the matter, but have they carried out any research on assisted dying? The committee has had a lot of interaction with a lot of areas but I wonder whether they have had any. Moreover, while assisted dying will be seen primarily as a health issue, justice and equality will also come into it. Do the officials feel, therefore, that this should be spread among other Departments, from an holistic point of view, to have a whole-of-government approach, assuming it is brought in?

One issue we have been grappling with and for which we have been examining all the different models relates to the eligibility criteria and the safeguards that would be in place if assisted dying were introduced. The two main models are based on either a terminal diagnosis within six months or another specified timeframe or unbearable suffering that is not going to change.

Is there a position regarding what model would fit best in Ireland?