Assisted Dying
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LATE LAST YEAR we reproduced an article – A Death Knell for Civilisation: Today’s vote is a dark day for Britain – by Laura Doddsworth. It examined the assisted dying bill (Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill) from, what could be considered, a ‘culturally conservative’ point of view (1).
We reproduced her article to promote free thought & debate & noted that we were more than happy to publish any opposing view.
One reader thought that Doddsworth’s article was strident & apocalyptic – akin to something produced by a ‘religious extremist’ who has no feeling for those watching close friends or relatives who’re dying slowly.
They agreed that it’s legitimate to ask that adequate safeguards be put in place. However, they pointed out that any legislation can be the adjusted, if required.
Our reader takes a position of bodily autonomy – basically, ‘My body, my choice.’ They also pointed out the trauma people are put through – on charges of murder – after they have seen a loved one slowly suffering due to a fatal illness & ‘have helped them on their way.’
With all of the above in mind, we reproduce the following article, written by Noel Byrne of the Dublin-based End of Life Ireland group. It appeared in an online publication called The Pensive Quill (TPQ).
TPQ is written mostly from an Irish Republican & Socialist perspective. It carries many interesting and thought-provoking essays. However, it’s unique in that it dissents from the current political position held by Sinn Féin & also promotes a diverse range of opinions (including those held by Ulster Unionists).
Noel Byrne’s article calls for ‘a compassionate law on Assisted Dying that permits a medically assisted death to adults of sound mind who are suffering intolerably or are terminally ill.’
It goes without saying that there are no links between Laura Doddsworth, Noel Byrne, the End of Life Ireland group, TPQ & the National Liberal Party.
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Assisted Dying
In recent years two attempts have been made in this jurisdiction to have a law on Assisted Dying enacted. Both efforts failed.
In 2024 a Dáil ‘All Party Special Committee’ concluded after a nine-month period of research and consideration that such legislation should be enacted here. Their report has been accepted by the Dáil. It had already been determined by the Supreme Court that there was no constitutional bar on such legislation.
Unfortunately, legislation on Assisted Dying has not been included in the new Programme for Government as neither Fianna Fáil nor Fine Gael had included it in their manifestos. The majority of the other political parties are in favour of such legislation.
Such legislation would permit a medically assisted death to adults of sound mind who are suffering intolerably or terminally ill, and gives a choice to those with incurable physical conditions who face years of constant pain and suffering that they find unbearable.
The purpose of any Assisted Dying legislation is to give people:
- The right to die with dignity, peacefully, and without suffering.
- The ability to make their own choices about death while taking into account the reasonable interest of others.
- The ability to make their well-considered end of life decisions in a safe and peaceful environment supported by the law.
Such legislation is similar to abortion or divorce, it is about giving individuals a personal right to choose if they so desire.
Legislation on Assisted Dying is currently in place in Austria, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, 11 of the United States and Colombia. The process to initiate such legislation is currently in progress in France, England, Scotland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
The principal arguments for Assisted Dying legislation are:
- Relief from suffering. Assisted Dying provides a compassionate and humane way to end unbearable pain and suffering for terminally ill patients.
- Autonomy and Self-Determination. Persons have the right to control their own bodies and lives. This includes the decision to end their life if they are suffering.
- Dignity and Quality of Life. By allowing individuals to choose Assisted Dying it helps to preserve their dignity and maintain their quality of life rather than prolonging their suffering.
The National Liberal Party believes in free thought & free speech. Therefore, we publish a diverse range of opinions that might be of interest to our readers. This article is published in support of assisted dying. It counters an article – from late last year – that opposed assisted dying.
Naturally as with all such ethical legislation there are many who are opposed. Their arguments generally fall into four categories:
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- The sanctity of life. This is a belief that human life has inherent value and should be preserved at all costs, regardless of circumstances. This is primarily an argument from religious belief. There is no evidence of life being sacred.
- The Slippery Slope argument is that legalising Assisted Dying could lead to a situation where the criteria for eligibility are gradually expanded, potentially leading to unjustified deaths. This is not a genuine argument. In any democracy the legislature must be in a position to amend legislation. It would be wrong to tie the hands of any future Government. This argument applies both ways, in that a future government might also decide to downgrade the eligibility criteria of any such legislation.
- Palliative care is a sufficient alternative. This is completely untrue. There are a percentage of cases where palliative care is unable to relieve intolerable pain and distress. The majority of people seeking Assisted Dying are already receiving hospice or palliative care. Assisted Dying legislation is not in competition with palliative care. It is complementary to palliative care.
- Potential for abuse. No law is perfect. All laws can be abused. It is most important that all laws relating to Assisted Dying have extremely tight controls and mechanisms in place whereby any abuse of the legislation is severely punished.
I am a member of EOLI (End of Life Ireland) which is a voluntary advocacy group involved solely in campaigning to have compassionate Assisted Dying legislation enacted in Ireland.
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We want a compassionate law on Assisted Dying that permits a medically assisted death to adults of sound mind who are suffering intolerably or are terminally ill. We believe reform is necessary to reduce unbearable suffering of individuals, and just as importantly, to give choice to those with physical, incurable conditions who face years of constant pain or suffering that they find unbearable.
EOLI has a https://www.endoflifeireland.
Noel Byrne is a retired Civil Servant and a Humanist, with a principal interest in Philosophy, and a particular interest in Ethics and Morality.
(1) https://nationalliberal.org/a-
Date: February 2, 2025
Categories: Articles