Results 741-760 of 7,637 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Engagement with People with Disabilities (16 Jan 2024)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Cathaoirleach. It is important to say this committee may well choose not to recommend legislation if it believes this proposal would do more harm than good. I certainly believe that and I have been saying that for a long time. Some people think we will do more harm than good full stop. I do not want put words in the witnesses' mouths but what I am hearing from them is that in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Engagement with People with Disabilities (16 Jan 2024)

Rónán Mullen: Of course there will be cases brought on grounds of equality, whether it is to do with mental suffering, irremediable suffering or disability. This is part of the vulnerability of opening up this whole debate. It has been made it abundantly clear, including by my friend and colleague Senator Clonan, in his impassioned and clear discourse on the subject here today, that we have so much to...

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: I start by asking to share time with my friend and colleague, Senator Keogan, with the permission of the House.

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister to the House and apologise for the fact that I will be unable to remain for the duration of the debate. I will obviously scrutinise it very carefully later on. I am attending an event involving the Human Dignity Award presentation. Senator Keogan will be there as well, so we will not be in a position to oppose this Bill on Second Stage. I assure the Minister that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Examination of Potential Consequences - Protecting and Enhancing the Provision of Palliative Care: Discussion (12 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome our guests again. This has been the best session we have had. It has been very clarifying for anybody who is listening carefully. I am sorry there are not more members of the committee here to hear every moment of these exchanges. It is just the Cathaoirleach and the diehards. Deputy Troy's questions were important as well. My colleague and friend, Senator Ruane, made me think...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Examination of Potential Consequences - Protecting and Enhancing the Provision of Palliative Care: Discussion (12 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: Is Dr. McQuillan saying that it makes people more intolerant of other people's suffering or needs - of paying for their care?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Examination of Potential Consequences - Protecting and Enhancing the Provision of Palliative Care: Discussion (12 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: We are talking about the kind of people who are unintendedly coerced. They are not even the incorrect deaths referred to by Dr. Doré because they would be technically eligible. The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland spoke to us about people with mental health issues falling through the cracks of this. They would not be incorrect deaths either because they are technically eligible but...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Examination of Potential Consequences - Protecting and Enhancing the Provision of Palliative Care: Discussion (12 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: To clarify, does it spoil the ability of palliative care practitioners to reach and address people's suffering?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Examination of Potential Consequences - Protecting and Enhancing the Provision of Palliative Care: Discussion (12 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: I am grateful to Senator Ruane for reminding us that there are some fundamental philosophical choices and outlooks in play here. I compliment her on that. I have to say that I see a huge distinction. For me, it is about human dignity. Medical intervention is obviously good. It is part of the gift that has evolved through the millennia that we can do these great things to alleviate pain...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Examination of Potential Consequences - Protecting and Enhancing the Provision of Palliative Care: Discussion (12 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: Why does it seem to be the case that the problem is much worse where there is euthanasia on the table, with the medical profession involved, the numbers seem to be much higher? They have already increased a lot in places like Oregon and so on, but it does seem to be the case that euthanasia takes it much further. Why does Professor Watson think that is the case? Is it because if doctors...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Examination of Potential Consequences - Protecting and Enhancing the Provision of Palliative Care: Discussion (12 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: Some might say that correlation is not causality in that case, so it is hard to know what exactly is going on.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Examination of Potential Consequences - Protecting and Enhancing the Provision of Palliative Care: Discussion (12 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: The figure is up to 53% in the last statistics.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Examination of Potential Consequences - Protecting and Enhancing the Provision of Palliative Care: Discussion (12 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: It is an issue of concern in that number of people's lives and it is on the up.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Examination of Potential Consequences - Protecting and Enhancing the Provision of Palliative Care: Discussion (12 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: Nobody is suggesting that. There are always many reasons but it is very problematic that such a large number of people feel they are a burden.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Examination of Potential Consequences - Protecting and Enhancing the Provision of Palliative Care: Discussion (12 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: It cannot be divorced from the availability of a solution.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Protecting Vulnerable People: Discussion (5 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: What is going on here is going on at Dr. McDonagh's request.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Protecting Vulnerable People: Discussion (5 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: Will Professor O'Neill finish his point? He was interrupted.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Protecting Vulnerable People: Discussion (5 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: I have been hearing from those who want a change in the law that it is about them and their personal decision, and maybe the family which supports them in their decision. I get the impression those who propose a change in the law do not see that other people might be affected by that choice. Is that what it comes down to? We are reassured, though it is not reassuring, that those who go for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Protecting Vulnerable People: Discussion (5 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: I might just address a question to Dr. Hartney and Dr. McDonagh very briefly. I think there was a tension between what the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, IHREC, had to say and what the NDA is telling us. Representatives from IHREC came in here and said that whatever we do, it should not be on grounds of disability. I sense a different position from Dr. Hartney, whereby the NDA...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Protecting Vulnerable People: Discussion (5 Dec 2023)

Rónán Mullen: I thank our guests and experts and, if I may, I just want to tease out one or two things. All through this process we have been going through in recent weeks, I have been very struck by our need to take very seriously and respectfully on the one hand people's personal testimony and, on the other hand, to grapple with the big picture policy impacts of what we do and its impact on other people...