Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 5 December 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying

Protecting Vulnerable People: Discussion

Photo of Lynn RuaneLynn Ruane (Independent)
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Yes, a bit of quality to the theatre. I thank her for her powerful contribution and for how she delivered it. It was welcome.

I have questions for Dr. Hartney and Dr. McDonagh, but I will save them for the second half. I will go to Professor O'Neill first. The reason I want to focus on his contribution is that it is the one I have to challenge myself on in my head as regards the ideas that are put forward. It was interesting. My brain sees some of the quotes Professor O'Neill used in a completely different way than he intended. That shows the perceptions of how we engage with the topic. We can both look at the same thing in different ways, such as when we say all autonomy is exercised in the embrace of others. I think that quote means empowering people to be able to embrace their own autonomy. The idea can almost be flipped around to suit the narrative I have in my head. What struck me most and had me reading a lot last night and this morning was the idea that euthanasia or assisted dying is neoliberal. Every other part of my work and identity relate to the collective good and social good. When I began to think about this idea of neoliberalism and individualistic decision-making, I wondered about the role of autonomy in the collective good. Is there a moral, political and ethical role for autonomy in the common good?