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Dáil Euthanasia Vote Next Week

Last night Dáil Éireann held the second stage debate for Gino Kenny TD’s ‘Dying with Dignity Bill. If passed, it would fully legalise euthanasia and assisted suicide.Despite a relentless push for this legislation in the media, doctors who will be tasked with actually administering the lethal drugs remain overwhelmingly opposed.

The Irish Palliative Medicine Consultants’ Association, the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland, and The Association for Palliative Medicine of Britain and Ireland have all made clear their opposition to this Bill.In countries in which similar bills have been enacted, the number of people dying by euthanasia increases exponentially in just a short space of time.

During the debate last night on the Euthanasia Bill, those who opposed the Bill got less than 5 minutes speaking time in the entire 75 minute debate! Credit to Deputy Peadar Tóibín for speaking up for the right for opposing voices to be heard last night.

You can watch Peadar Tóibín’s intervention below.

In the Netherlands in 2019, over 6300 people died in this way.In addition, safeguards are never sufficient to protect vulnerable people from abuse. Just last year a shocking case came to light in which a woman who had revoked her consent to be euthanised was held down by her family members whilst the doctor administered the lethal drugs to her.

The vote on the so-called Dying With Dignity Bill takes place next week in Dáil Éireann.

“Today, October 1st, is the United Nations International Day for Older Persons. It is a very sad thing that we are debating a Bill about ending life rather than talking about assisting and enriching life on such an important day.”

Thank you to Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick who spoke in opposition to the Euthanasia Bill last night in Dáil Éireann on UN International Day for Older Persons.  You can watch his speech here.