Junior Minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin calls for public debate on right-to-die laws

Junior Justice Minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has backed calls for a public forum to discuss whether assisted suicide should be introduced in Ireland.

The Labour minister’s comments come as Taoiseach Enda Kenny all but ruled out addressing whether the right-to-die should be legislated for by the next government.

Mr Ó Ríordáin highlighted the difficult situation that was faced by the family of the late Marie Fleming, a multiple sclerosis sufferer who lost a court battle to end her life. The right-to-die campaigner passed away in December 2003 after she and her partner Tom Curran failed in a landmark court battle to legislate for end-of-life help.