Campaigners for assisted dying welcome Oireachtas committee recommendation

During a vote on Wednesday night the committee on assisted dying decided to recommend that it should only be allowed where a person is diagnosed with a disease, illness or medical condition which is incurable and irreversible, advanced, progressive and will cause death within an expected six months.

In the case of a neurodegenerative disease, illness or condition, it was recommended the expected time to live could be twelve months.

The illness has to causing suffering that cannot be cannot be relieved in a manner that the person finds tolerable.

The committee's report will be published on March 20.

The decision was reached after a majority vote.

Commenting on the reports Janie Lazar, chairperson of End of Life Ireland said: "We at End of Life Ireland and Irish Doctors Supporting MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) gave evidence at the Committee last November and called on members to recommend the set up of an implementation group on voluntary assisted dying.

"We’re conscious that the committee’s report won’t be published in full until March 20th, but what we’re reading this morning would be a major step forward for compassionate legislation.

"We’ve been working hard to get people talking about assisted dying and about the choices that should be available to those who have no time to wait or waste. We look forward to seeing the report in full and issuing a full response at that stage”.

Legislation should be introduced to allow people with just six months to live to avail of assisted dying, a special Oireachtas committee is to recommend.

The committee made its decision following a wide range of groups coming before meetings to air their views.

Several groups, including psychiatrists and palliative care consultants were strongly against its introduction.

Legislation would be needed before it could proceed as well as strict regulation.

Several experts also warned about the “slippery slope” and pointed to countries such as Canada where the criteria for assisted dying has expanded over time.

However, others pointed to countries such as Australia where it has been introduced and has remained restrictive.