Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I probably will not use all of my time. It was a good debate and a reflection on the report itself. There are different views on this issue. Unfortunately, Deputy Tóibín, who is not present now, conflated the issue of assisted dying and suicide. That is extremely unhelpful in terms of this issue and those who do that do so deliberately.

I want to put on the record that I am not supportive of an expansion where people can avail of assisted dying in any circumstances. Assisted dying should not be available in the context of disability, mental health and age but it should be available in certain circumstances, which are laid out in the report, and that is very reasonable.

Looking at other jurisdictions, this is where those who oppose assisted dying say that once it is legislated for it expands but it has not expanded in Oregon in 30 years. The committee examined the model used Victoria in Australia and all of Australia now has legislated for assisted dying. Three years ago there was a referendum n New Zealand. The people of New Zealand were asked whether they supported legislation around assisted dying, and a clear majority supported assisted dying so that is very important. It is very important in terms of eligibility and who can avail of assisted dying.

There is a ludicrous situation where some people from this country and others have to go to Switzerland if they want to avail of assisted dying. This has happened in numerous cases and in some pretty difficult circumstances where a loved one could not travel with that person because they could be prosecuted. The legislation is very antiquated.

I have campaigned all of my life for assisted living. This is a great concept and this is part of everybody who tries to do the most good for the most people. Assisted living is extremely important but assisted dying is also important and it involves a voluntary decision. That is why it is called voluntary assisted dying This is not a decision that is imposed on anybody. We can never have that. This is not a decision that is taken lightly, by any means. This is a decision that is extremely fundamental and extremely difficult for that person. I say to people who are opposed to assisted dying, in a situation where they have a loved one coming to the end of his or her life, regardless of who they are who is to say to that person that he or she has to live for the next number of months in very difficult circumstances? Who has the right to say to that person that he or she has to go through every single moment of that difficult ending? Nobody. The only person who really has the say is the person in those circumstances and that is why I think assisted dying should be legislated for.

This is a complex debate.

See this speech in context