On Tuesday in the Dáil, Gino Kenny TD introduced a new pro-euthanasia bill called the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2024. The Bill adopts some of the recommendations from the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Assisted Dying that, if given effect, would open the door to euthanasia in Ireland, without any of the “safeguards” that Deputy Kenny and fellow campaigners keep referring to.
Contrary to the belief that any such legislation could be confined to limited situations, expert evidence presented to the Joint Committee on Assisted Dying from various Irish medical organisations and palliative care specialists suggested otherwise.
In Canada, for example, euthanasia has been gradually expanded beyond initially limited categories on the basis of the principle of equality. This has resulted in a situation where currently 4.1% of all deaths in Canada are a result of the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) law.
In 2020, Gino Kenny’s previous pro-euthanasia bill passed at Second Stage in the Dáil by 81 votes to 71. It was stopped, however, from progressing to a final vote by the Oireachtas Committee on Justice.
We’ll need to work even harder this time round to ensure Deputy Kenny’s latest life-ending bill is roundly defeated and that an alternative plan of strengthening and developing the provision of palliative care in Ireland is moved forward instead.
