The Catholic bishops of Ireland have issued a renewed plea to TDs, urging them to vote against the impending proposals on assisted dying that are set to be discussed in the Dáil this Wednesday.
The bishops highlighted their concerns, stating that the conscious act of ending a human life, particularly by those entrusted with its care, undermines a fundamental civilised societal principle which states that it is illegal for one person to intentionally end the life of another. The bishops further cautioned the slippery slope this might lead to, expressing concerns that subsequent proposals could potentially extend assisted suicide access to the most vulnerable in society, including those with intellectual disabilities.
Instead of such proposals, the bishops appealed to TDs to put more state funds towards improving palliative care provision.
The proposals which have been put forward by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying include restricted legislation for assisted dying – strictly applicable in cases where the individual in question has a prognosis of six months or less to live, or 12 months if they are suffering from a neurodegenerative disorder. It is also recommended that coercion into assisted dying be made a criminal offense, with mandatory training for relevant doctors and healthcare professionals to enable the identification of such coercion.
Fianna Fáil TDs have been informed they are free to vote according to their conscience on this issue, as announced last week. The party leader and Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, insisted that it indeed was an intensely personal matter, reiterating the party’s decade-long stance on life-related issues which remain matters of individual conscience. Personally, he confessed serious doubts about the proposed legislation and disputed its appropriateness.
Martin’s responses followed a call from Gino Kenny, People Before Profit TD, for all government parties to permit free voting on the issue. Recent surveys have indicated strong public support for assisted dying legislation in Ireland, according to Kenny.
The Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin has expressed profound disapproval of the proposed law last week, branding it as a significant assault on a society that strives to be safe and nurturing. He firmly believes that it ought to meet hearty resistance.
The archbishop highlighted the deep anxiety among medical and healthcare experts regarding a growing political trend that could disrupt their main principle of causing no harm. He raised a point that this propensity could potentially undermine the legal protection for the sanctity of life at all stages.
He also made comments in light of the imminent general election in Ireland. He urged the electorate to get in touch with their TDs and Senators, in an endeavour to understand their stance on end-of-life care safeguards. Further, he stressed the importance of campaigning for advancements in palliative care and hospice services to be included in election agendas.