Vicky Phelan backs proposed Dying with Dignity bill

Vicky Phelan says she has discussed the issue with members of her family.

Cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan has given her backing to a 'right to die' bill that will be brought before the Dáil later this month.

The issue was raised in 2015 but was never passed by the Oireachtas.

People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny will bring back the Dying with Dignity bill with a few modifications when the Dáil resumes.

Vicky Phelan says she has discussed the issue with members of her family.

"I've planned everything in my life and I'm at the stage already even though I'm not anywhere near dying yet but I've already started to plan the way I want my funeral to go.

"I'm just one of those people and this is no different.

"The way I look at it is, particularly for my family, my children and for me. I don't see why I should have to suffer like that."

Ms Phelan has asked TDs to consider their position on this bill before returning to the Dáil, "We all know how slow things are in this country. Here we are 5 years later and it's still ongoing. I would ask all 160 TDs to really engage in this debate on this bill and think about their positions now before this bill is introduced".

She says the proposed bill will not leave people vulnerable to being coerced into making a decision: "I do think that the bill provides for those safe-guards; there have to be two medical practitioners that have to sing the declaration and it has to be signed by the person themselves."

"It cant be signed by someone with dementia, for example, the person has to have their faculties about them to make the declaration", she added.