John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is not personalised. It is my view of the statements we have been given. I have become accustomed to something much more academic and technical. I found it a casual presentation. I do not find it particularly pleasing to the eye. I have no issue with some of the facts presented. It is certainly not the model anybody here, although I can only speak for myself, would consider. There are some telling facts I want to address.

It is true, as someone stated in relation to the US Supreme Court, that there is no constitutional right to take one’s own life, but there was a majority Supreme Court judgment, referred to in our independent legal presentation on the matter, that could not define general standards of medical practice and stated these were matters for state law when it came to the prescribing of the drugs required for it. That is an important point in the evidence we have had before us.

Regarding Oregon, it seems that the regulatory environment is out of control and there is no follow-up. That seems to be a real weakness, and it is something I would have a clear issue with.

I am taken with the burden piece because it is a theme that keeps coming up and it has to be taken very seriously. If a strong contributing factor to someone making a decision or moving in the direction of ending their own life is the feeling of being a burden on their family, society or community, that is a cause for concern and ought to be a cause of concern for lawmakers.

On terminal anorexia, I admit my absolute innocence in that regard. It is the first time I have heard that term used, and I am not an innocent abroad in relation to the matter.

There is nothing personal meant in relation to Dr. Komrad's presentation. Our work is serious here and I found it dramatic and alarming in its presentation as opposed to considered and serious. As a result - it is a very personal view - I found it hard to take it very seriously and I would have liked to have heard and read a very serious and considered report. Dr. Komrad paints a picture of a system completely out of control - chaotic, actually - and I do not have a sense of that.