Results 2,681-2,700 of 21,514 for speaker:Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank Ms Hall. That is a very important insight into the disability sector in the North of our island. I wonder whether that is replicated here. Do they mirror? That is something that Ms Hall may not be able to answer. We will have to delve into that ourselves.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Yes. This committee is more aware than most that the writing of the report and even the working out of the recommendations will perhaps be challenging in itself in terms of our own discourse on it. Time will tell. I thank Ms Hall for attending. She has travelled to be with us. We are very grateful to Ms Hall for her participation and contribution.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: We wish Ms Hall a safe journey home. I remind members that the Select Committee on Justice and Equality is due to meet tomorrow at 9 a.m.

Justice Issues: Statements (28 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is very interesting that he has decided to bring his retirement forward given that he was due to come before the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality tomorrow week.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The purpose of the meeting is to begin the joint committee's consideration of the very important subject of the right to die with dignity. On behalf of the committee, I welcome from Right to Die Ireland Mr. Tom Curran and Mr. Michael Nugent and from the Irish Association for Palliative Care Dr. Regina McQuillan, consultant physician in palliative medicine. I thank all of them for their...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank Dr. McQuillan. Could our guests check their phones because the interference is most likely coming through a live microphone rather than those that are silent? I thank both our contributors. I understand we are being joined by other members of the group who have just arrived. They are very welcome. Heavy traffic and all that goes with it is the cause of the delay. I will open up...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Perhaps Dr. McQuillan would like to respond first to Deputy Daly's points, and then Mr. Curran can contribute. If Mr. Nugent wishes to respond then he can also do so.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: If Deputy Daly wishes to come back with a supplementary question that is fine.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Deputy Daly has had to go out but she has indicated that she will be back. We appreciate witnesses' replies. I call Deputy Colm Brophy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: As do other members. As issue raised on which I would like clarification is that my understanding of the situation in Oregon and other places, from the limited reading and research I have done in advance of this sequence of meetings, is that a second medical practitioner must confirm the validity of the wishes of the individual patient and if there is any doubt as to the mental capacity of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: As is very much the case in our health services, unfortunately.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: For the information of the committee members, Deputy O'Callaghan among others made reference to legislation that was presented in the last Dáil by Deputy Halligan, if I remember correctly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Many members here today were not yet members of the Oireachtas at the time-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: -----so it is quite understandable that they were not privy to the legislation in question. It is something that they can research, however, and is there on the record. I now call Mr. Nugent.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: We need to move on. We have another guest who has travelled a greater distance than all our current guests and we want also to give her the opportunity to present her views. I will call Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile and then all the members will get the opportunity to come back in again when our next guest presents.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Would Mr. Curran, Mr. Nugent or Dr. McQuillan like to kick off?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Would anybody else like to offer?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank Dr. McQuillan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Yes, it is.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: We will certainly settle for that as the closing contribution. We will not throw that one back. On behalf of the committee I want to thank the witnesses for their engagement with us today and for their very informative contributions. The witnesses are welcome to stay on to listen to the next part of our meeting if they so wish. We will suspend briefly to allow the next witness to take her...