Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I thank our witnesses. We are dealing with what is an extremely emotive topic, when we are talking about life and death. There are times when we all might take offence at someone else's opinions but we have to respect everybody's opinions nevertheless and appreciate the good faith in which they are given. I am one who is coming to this debate totally undecided about what way I will ultimately go. I am trying to hold my decision until we conclude the hearings from international and national experts on how we square a circle, for want of a better description. I can see the positives but I also see huge risks. How do we assist people in a certain regard, while at the same time ensuring the right protections are in place?

I am struck by the paper we were given on the current state of play in Oregon. However, my colleague, Senator Mullen, seems to indicate through the paper he has in his hands that there has been an increase in the number of people availing of assisted dying over the past number of years. That is not evident from the paper we have. I ask all three witnesses the following questions. Even where strict limits have been imposed or introduced in the states where assisted dying is permissible, has there been a relaxation of the limits from when they were originally introduced? If there has been a relaxation of the limits or restrictions, has there been a corresponding increase in the number of people seeking assisted dying?