Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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My final questions are directed towards Professor Battin and Dr. Jeanne because I believe Dr. Komrad has made up his mind in relation to assisted dying as is his prerogative. Has there been a call for the expansion of the criteria around the Oregon model? Has there been support for expansion or even a drawback in regard to the criteria? Also, what lessons do they have for us as legislators and as people who represent people throughout Ireland, if we were to legislate in Ireland? What lessons have they learned over the past 26 years? Finally, in regard to the introduction of assisted dying, we hear those who oppose assisted dying say that if assisted dying was introduced, it would fundamentally change healthcare. I believe that is an exaggerated term. Doctors’ ethics state, “First, do no harm”. When looking at assisted dying as an issue that fundamentally determines and affects the individual, it is of fundamental importance to the individual, and that person should have a say in how his or her life ends. This is why I come back to this point all the time. Obviously, society says, “Assisted dying is a taboo issue and it cannot be introduced because there would be unintended consequences”. However, we have seen in other jurisdictions, in particular in Oregon, New Zealand and other places, that when assisted dying is introduced, the world does not fall apart. In fact, it gives people choice. To me, that is the most important issue.