Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I thank the witnesses for appearing before the committee and for their ongoing work in their fields. In this ongoing debate about assisted dying we are trying to tease out if people in certain circumstances will be able to avail of assisted dying. Those are the parameters of the committee. Some weeks ago, the Irish College of General Practitioners appeared before the committee. I asked what was the percentage of deaths in Ireland that could be classified as very difficult or very complicated or painful. The reply was that some 5% or 6% of deaths can be complicated in relation to pain management. Do the witnesses accept that some people coming to the end of their lives do not want to go through weeks or months of pain and suffering? There is a cohort of people who could be in that position. Modern medicine is incredible, but can it ameliorate some of the pain and suffering that people do not want to experience? In that situation, should a person have a say in how they die to prevent that suffering and pain? Do the witnesses accept that assisted dying should be a choice for a small cohort of people?