The special Oireachtas committee on assisted dying in the Republic of Ireland is set to recommend that legislation should be introduced to allow terminally ill people the right to a dignified death on their own terms. My Death, My Decision welcomes this news, adding to the cases of Scotland, Isle of Man and Jersey in shining a spotlight on the lack of progress at Westminster.
Last week the Health and Social Care Committee’s assisted dying inquiry in the UK released their report. It did not make any recommendations for moving to an assisted dying law for England and Wales.
By contrast, the Irish Parliament’s Committee on Assisted Dying is expected to recommend that a law be introduced to allow assisted dying for terminally ill people. Those with incurable, irreversible, progressive and advanced illnesses that will cause death within six months will be eligible. This time limit is likely to be set at 12 months for people suffering from neurodegenerative conditions.
My Death, My Decision would welcome an assisted dying law in the UK that grants mentally capable adults the option of an assisted death if they are endu
ring unbearable suffering from an incurable physical condition. There should be no arbitrary life expectancy thresholds.
The Oireachtas Committee’s final report is due to be published on 20 March.
Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision, said:
“This Oireachtas report should lay the foundations for a compassionate assisted dying law for Ireland. With laws progressing in Scotland, Isle of Man and Jersey too, it’s time politicians at Westminster realise that doing nothing is no longer an option.
We urge them to support a law that will give adults of sound mind who are suffering intolerably from incurable physical conditions the right to make their own end-of-life decisions, without artificial life expectancy timeframes like six or twelve months.”
Notes:
Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request
For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.
My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow those who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.
Read more about our work with the Assisted Dying Inquiry: https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/2023/05/15/assisted-dying-inquiry-health-and-social-care-committee-takes-next-steps/
