Dr. Andrew Lyne:

I will take that question. We feel very strongly that the criteria set out should restrict the provision to people with a terminal illness, whether or not they have a disability. Their level of ability should not have anything to do with it.

Part of the reason we recommend that the administration of medication should be oral or intravenous is to make sure there is no discrimination against people with a disability. The greatest discrimination we have at the moment in Ireland is that of money. If a person has the money and they want to get it, they can go to Switzerland. However, the vast majority of people in Ireland do not have that option. Most people would prefer to be at home surrounded by their family and loved ones for the end of their lives. We certainly do not see disability as being a criterion for or indeed, against, someone having access to voluntary assisted dying.