Euthanasia and Assisted Dying

Euthanasia and assisted suicide is currently illegal in Ireland. In October 2020, the Dáil voted to pass the “Dying with Dignity Bill 2020”. The proposed legislation would permit assisted dying in limited circumstances, allowing medical professionals to enable some terminally ill patients to end their own lives. If it becomes law, Ireland would follow a small number of countries around the world in legalising the practice.

Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, Ireland’s largest provider of specialist palliative care services, does not support the assisted dying bill or assisted suicide and welcomes public debate on the subject. Instead, we advocate for better advanced care planning and additional supports for those living with a terminal illness and those facing end of life, and for increased access to specialist palliative care so that pain and distress of patients and families can be comprehensively addressed. In January 2021, the organisation responded to public invite from the Joint Committee on Justice to make a submission outlining its view and position.

You can read the submission below: