Medics lead campaign against right-to-die Bill
MORE than 2,600 signatures have been added to a petition led by medics opposing the introduction of legislation that would allow terminally ill people choose to end their own lives.
The Dying with Dignity Bill was given preliminary approval in the Dáil last October when it passed through the second stage of the lengthy process involved in making new laws.
And now members of the Oireachtas Justice Committee are considering the legislation first proposed by People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny.
If they recommend that it should be enacted, the proposed Bill will then go before committee stage, where sections of it could be amended or changed before a vote is finally taken.
The petition was submitted by the Irish Healthcare Professionals for Dignity in Living and Dying group to the Oireachtas Justice Committee last Friday. And the medics, including members of the Irish Palliative Medicine Consultants’ Association, who signed it describe the proposed Dying with Dignity Bill as assisted suicide.
In their letter to the Justice Committee, the group also said: ‘We believe the Bill creates risks for many receiving healthcare that outweigh any potential benefits.
‘This concern is based on our collective experience over many decades of providing health care to people and their families.
‘We fear that the most vulnerable may be made feel a burden to their families and come under pressure to end their lives prematurely.’
However, according to Mr Kenny, the proposed legislation is not tantamount to assisted suicide. And he insists that if it becomes law, people with disabilities and mental health problems would not be able to use it in order to end their lives.
Under the proposed Bill, anyone over 18 who is terminally ill would be allowed to get medical assistance to die. Mr Kenny said: ‘Anyone with disabilities or mental health issues could not avail of this legislation and to say that is wholly inappropriate.
‘When you look at this petition it’s a general petition and not everyone who signed it is a medical practitioner,’ he said.
‘I could put a petition together from the opposing side and get the same reaction.
‘Those who are in this situation and who want to avail of this law are not suicidal.
‘Only a small number of people will avail of it and there is zero evidence that suicide rates go up when assisted dying is introduced. It is a sensitive issue and we should have a proper, proper debate about it.’
Meanwhile, a group of GPs who are in favour of the proposed Bill have also made a written submission to the Justice Committee.
According to the Irish Doctors supporting Medical Assistance in Dying group, people should ‘be provided with accessible, highquality and evidence-based care to minimise suffering and support their wishes.’
And in their detailed submission these doctors claimed that while palliative care can control and alleviate pain, it cannot always eliminate all pain and suffering.
The Oireachtas Justice Committee is expected to make a recommendation on the proposed Dying with Dignity Bill before the Dáil breaks up for the summer.
‘Those who want to avail of this law aren’t suicidal’