Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 13 June 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying

Assisted Dying, Legal and Constitutional Context: Discussion

Ms Rachel Woods:

A legal challenge could always change the position. However, the Supreme Court judgment in the Fleming case was fairly clear on the key issue that there is no constitutional right to suicide or to assisted dying but that it is open to the Oireachtas to legislate. It would be difficult to see where the grey area in that judgment is. However, a legal challenge can always lead to different judgments.