Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I thank our three witnesses, who I was listening to on my monitor upstairs. I just got the opportunity to come down now.

I have a couple of questions. Many questions have been asked already. In Professor Binchy’s opening statement, he mentioned the damaging effects of physician-assisted suicide. Could he elaborate on what those effects are and what he means by “the rights and interests of others” that would be affected by assisted dying? He also mentioned that if assisted dying were to be introduced by way of legislation, there is the possibility of legally requiring healthcare professionals to engage in an activity against their will. Could he foresee a system whereby conscientious objection could be introduced, similar to what was introduced in respect of the repeal of the eighth amendment, where professionals with a conscientious objection could refrain from participating in a practice that goes against their conscience?

In Mr. Copson’s opening statement, he stated that assisted dying should be based on an individual’s determination that their suffering or quality of life is intolerable and it should not require a terminal prognosis. Who determines what is intolerable? Is it intolerable from a medical perspective, from a psychological perspective or because of societal issues because some person might find themselves at a particular stage in their life? That gives rise to the impact that would have on suicide and how we frame and support people who are in an intolerable position and contemplating suicide. How would we work to encourage people to refrain from taking their own life in that position? I am interested in Mr. Copson’s views on that.