Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Tuesday, 12 December 2023
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying
Examination of Potential Consequences - Protecting and Enhancing the Provision of Palliative Care: Discussion
Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Voluntary assisted dying can be introduced in Ireland safely with very robust legislation. There are a number of variations of the model we have been looking at across the world. The model I would look at in particular exists in New Zealand and Australia. It is obviously a very contemporary one. It can be implemented in the very near future for specific circumstances which would allow people to avail of assisted dying. I completely understand that this runs contrary to all of the training and beliefs of the witnesses.
I refer to diagnosis and prognosis. I am sure the witnesses have had very difficult conversations with people who have asked them how long they have to live. That can be difficult. Even saying that to somebody can be difficult. In the professional opinion of the witnesses and based on their previous experience, when somebody asks that question do they generally get it right in terms of time limiting conditions? Have they told somebody who asked them the question that they think they could have less than six months to live? Things can be different for other individuals, but generally in respect of prognosis and diagnosis when doctors in a field provide a prognosis for somebody in particular circumstances are they generally correct?