Result of tonight's Dáil vote on euthanasia/assisted suicide report has no binding effect
The Dáil tonight voted in favour of noting the recommendations made by the Joint Committee on Assisted Dying in its final report. The result was a margin of 53 opposed, whilst 76 voted in favour.
Commenting on tonight's result, Eilís Mulroy of the Pro Life Campaign said:
"It is important to recognise that tonight's vote was not a vote on the issue of euthanasia/assisted suicide itself but was on whether to note the radical and far-reaching report of the Joint Committee on Assisted Dying, which called for the introduction of euthanasia/assisted suicide.
"It would have been preferable if a majority of TDs had voted No. It is clear from the remarks of many Oireachtas members in recent days that they haven't reflected on or studied the extreme recommendations contained in the JCAD report.
"In addition to reducing the value of human life and undermining anti-suicide campaigns, the introduction of euthanasia/assisted suicide in Ireland would have the impact of undercutting investment in palliative care and would inevitably lead to certain vulnerable groups feeling growing pressure to opt for euthanasia/assisted suicide, as shown by what has happened in the small number of countries that have gone down this road.
"Significantly the push for euthanasia/ assisted suicide has been opposed by professional bodies such as the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland and
the Irish Palliative Medicine Consultants Association. I sincerely hope TDs will take account of this going forward.
"The focus of the Oireachtas should be on promoting assisted living, not assisted dying. There is so much good and life-affirming work that needs to be done in this area and candidates in the upcoming General Election have a duty to state clearly where they stand on the issue so voters are left in no doubt with regard to their position."
