Concerns over proposed assisted suicide laws

LAWS allowing assisted suicide being considered by the British government could have significant implications here if terminally ill Irish people chose to travel to end their lives.

The Irish Government was warned more than two years ago that laws governing end of life issues were unclear. But there are no plans to bring in legislation in the area and it is not under examination.

Britain will consider introducing a bill in the House of Commons if its Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) fails to come up with clear advice on when it is legal or illegal to help someone to die.

The issue arose last week when Multiple Sclerosis sufferer Debbie Purdy sought clarification in the courts on whether her husband would be prosecuted if he helped her to die.

More than two years ago the Irish Law Society called for an examination of legislation surrounding end of life issues, including assisted suicide, euthanasia and the choice of terminally ill patients to refuse feeding and medication.

President of the Irish Association of Suicidology, Fine Gael TD Dan Neville said there is anecdotal, evidence that Irish people are travelling to Switzerland, where assisted-suicide is legal and it is likely that this would continue, or even increase, if it was introduced in Britain.

He said travelling for suicide “has never been tested in Irish law”.

Mr Neville expressed concern about the introduction of such laws in Britain. “It has been expected for the past 10 years that Britain would make such a move because of developments in Europe,” he said.

He fears similar laws will eventually be introduced here because “western society is so homogenous and we tend to follow what is happening in the rest of the world”.

Mr Neville said: “If we do introduce it, there will be a move towards questioning who is dispensable in society and who is not. Will older people become disposable or people with severe mental disabilities?”

He said: “There is also concern about pressurised euthanasia. People may feel they are a burden on their families or those who care for them and might be under psychological pressure to end their lives.”

“The sanctity of life is paramount and any interference with it, apart from being unethical, is dangerous,” he said.

The issue is already causing huge divisions of opinion in the British Parliament where it is expected to be debated through a private members’ bill over the coming year.