Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I thank our witnesses. One of the witnesses spoke about how, if we address the fear of dying, we will fundamentally diminish the number of people who would request assisted dying. Dr. McQuillan said that on average palliative care looks after 28,000 people per annum. Does she have any indication what percentage of that 28,000 actively look for assisted dying? This is bearing in mind that it is not legally available in Ireland, but people who talk about the option of travelling to a jurisdiction where it may be available. Do we have an idea of the numbers who are actively looking for that option at the moment?

In Dr. Doré's last contribution with my colleague, he spoke about how assisted dying does not align with palliative care. I always worry about introducing parameters because the evidence shows that wherever parameters are introduced they tend to be broadened over time. Does Dr. Doré feel that if we were to introduce a model with strict parameters to take account of the minority of people who, in their full knowledge, genuinely want to have this procedure carried out, it could be established as a stand-alone unit? A witness who appeared before the committee gave the example of where assisted dying could be established and offered through a stand-alone service where it might not align with palliative care.

I have two final questions. It was worrying to hear, although anyone who practices politics like we do will be aware, that there is a difference in the level of service in terms of palliative care, depending on what CHO region someone resides in. Will someone elaborate on those gaps and what needs to be done to address them and ensure we have fit for purpose palliative care for people at the end of their lives?

Finally, I am not sure who spoke about elder abuse and how one in five suffers from it. That is quite significant and 20% of the population. Will someone delve into it a bit further in terms of concerns about the elder abuse issue?