The new Oireachtas Commission, set up to consider assisted dying, held its first public meeting this week.
A joint committee of 14 MPs and senators opened at 11:00am, chaired by Independent TD Michael Healy-Ray, reports RTE.
It heard opening remarks from Rachel Woods, assistant secretary in charge of the Department of Justice’s criminal justice function, and Sinead Gibney, chief commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.
In her opening statement to the committee, Ms Woods outlined the existing legal and constitutional framework.
Under current law, it is an offense to assist, induce, advise or induce another person to commit suicide or attempt suicide.
The offense carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison if convicted.
Ms Woods said that although suicide was decriminalized 30 years ago, the crime of assisted suicide was retained and included “severe penalty was to cover situations where a person deliberately procured the suicide of another for his own motives,” reports RTE.
Ms Woods said any legislative action would require changes to the Criminal Justice (Suicide) Act 1993.
In her opening statement to the committee, Ms Gibney raised concerns about the potential for unintended consequences.
“If we are to consider assisted dying to be an extension of patient-centred care and a humane response to suffering, we must ensure that these groups are robustly protected from pressure or coercion,” reports RTE.
Ms Gibney emphasized the need to include the voices of disabled people in this debate.
“It is crucial that the voices of people with disabilities of all ages and backgrounds are heard when drafting laws and policies that affect their rights, and especially when we talk about assisted dying”, she said, reports RTE.
Responding to a question from Fianna Fáil’s John Lahart about the continuation of the assisted death offence, Ms Woods said the criminal law was an important issue.
“We do have to recognise there will be a possibility that someone will seek the suicide of somebody else, not for the benefit of that other person, but for their own benefit or other reasons. That is why criminal law remains an important factor in this, in the absence of a very carefully considered regime, should it be a decision of the Oireachtas to introduce one,” reports RTE.
Green Party representative Patrick Costello asked if someone who sat next to someone traveling abroad for this purpose or shared a taxi but did nothing to arrange the appointment could be breaking the law.
Tánaiste Michael Martin said he did not underestimate the commission’s work, adding: “It is a very challenging issue and it’s a complex issue,” reports RTE.
On his way to the cabinet meeting, Mr Martin said it was good that the committee was investigating the issues raised.
The five Senators participating are Independents Lynn Ruane and Rónán Mullen, Labour’s Annie Hoey, Fianna Fáil’s Fiona O’Loughlin and Fine Gael’s Mary Seery Kearney.
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