Move to delay assisted dying bill defeated

A GOVERNMENT attempt to buy time on assisted suicide has been dramatically voted down in the Dáil, bringing its legality closer.

An intended referral of “assisted dying” to a special committee for a year was last night voted down by TDs at the National Conference Centre. The Coalition move, on Dublin Mid West TD Gino Kenny’s private member’s Dying with Dignity Bill, was defeated by 86 votes to 65.

Instead, the draft law was voted through to committee stage by 81 votes to 71, hastening its possible passage into law.

Cabinet ministers were the only members of the Government whipped to support the amendment, intended to block the bill moving to committee stage by establishing the Dáil special committee instead.

All other members of the Coalition parties, including super junior and junior ministers, enjoyed a rare free vote on the draft legislation as a matter of conscience.

There were significant defections from the g overnment parties as the House moved on to vote on the bill proceeding to committee stage. It is currently an offence carrying a 14-year jail term to assist in a suicide, even though suicide itself has been decriminalised.

Under the bill voted on last night, a person’s terminal illness would have to be certified by two doctors, along with their express desire to end their own life through the assistance of another.

New Zealand is to hold a referendum on assisted dying in conjunction with its general election in nine days’ time.