Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I thank all of our guests. It has been very informative, as ever. This committee is trying to grapple with the issue of assisted dying. It can be complex and it can be very difficult sometimes hearing the witness testimony but it is important that we talk about these things. As Dr. Twomey said, in some ways we are good at talking about death but there is other avoidance around those who are living and who may want to avail of assisted dying.

My first question is on hospice and palliative care. We all acknowledge that palliative and hospice care is very good in this country, but in certain circumstances it cannot really ameliorate all conditions and there are limitations to certain circumstances. Surely in that situation, if somebody is going to die, has a terminal diagnosis, their life expectancy is days, weeks or months and it will very complicated, that person should have a choice to say, "I do not want to go through that. This is my life and my body and I want you to help me not go through that." Surely, in those circumstances a person should have a choice.