Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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Gabhaim míle maith ag an gCathaoirleach agus cuirim fáilte roimh na h-aíonna uilig. I apologise in advance that I will have to leave fairly early after my questioning because we are launching the Oireachtas essay competition for senior cycle schools today. If the witnesses know anyone who might want to enter that, we would be delighted to hear from them.

Beidh idir Bhéarla agus Ghaeilge sna ceisteanna agus beidh fáilte roimh Ghaeilge nó Béarla sna freagraí freisin. Is rud atá suntasach sa díospóireacht seo, de réir mar a fheicim, go bhfuil formhór na ndochtúirí agus eagraíochtaí na ndochtúirí in Éirinn in aghaidh an bháis chúnta a bheith ceadaithe. De réir cosúlachta, tá faitíos orthu gurb iad na daoine is leochailí sa tsochaí a bheadh thíos le haon athrú. Dá mbeadh duine le tinneas foirceanta, mar shampla, daoine le míchumas nó daoine atá sean, fiú amháin, agus go bhfuil ualach á chur orthu, ar a dteaghlaigh agus ar an Stát, tá sé an-deacair idirdhealú a dhéanamh idir an duine le tinneas foirceanta atá 100% i gceannas ar a ngnóthaí féin agus duine a mhothaíonn brú ón gclann, ón tsochaí nó ón Stát.

There is a real fear out there that people will feel vulnerable no matter how we try to legislate for the individual, who may be completely in charge of his or her own will and desires. There is a fear it is impossible to prevent that from seeping out societally so people who are old with severe physical or mental challenges, or who indeed are terminally ill, would not feel in some way drawn towards euthanasia or assisted suicide because of a new culture that emerges where they feel vulnerable and where they feel a burden. The fear is that no safeguards can stand strong against that over time, and that seems to be the experience internationally. Insofar as we have time, I would be grateful to hear from all groups in response to that concern, in whichever language they choose.

Dr. Lyne and Dr. O'Shea say they represent 100 doctors. What percentage of registered medical practitioners in Ireland would that be?