Assisted dying committee chair Michael Healy Rae disputes final report

Michael Healy-Rae said: 'In politics, you're entitled to your opinion.' Picture: Dan Linehan

A row has broken out in advance of the publication of the Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying's report, with members split over its recommendations.

The committee has been hearing evidence since last June and is due to publish its final report Wednesday. It is set to recommend assisted dying be legislated for in cases where a person with an incurable illness is expected to die within six months, extended to 12 months when a person has been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease.

However, in advance of that publication, committee members were told that independent senator Ronan Mullen and Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy would put forward a minority report supported by committee chair Michael Healy Rae. 

In an email seen by The Irish Examiner, Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell said that he felt Mr Healy Rae's position was "untenable" and that the Kerry TD had "undermined" the report.

Mr Farrell's email accused Mr Healy Rae of "seeking to undermine the credibility" of the "very report you shepherded through the difficult process we all ventured into, together". 

Speaking to The Irish Examiner, Mr Healy Rae said that his "position is crystal clear".

"Last Wednesday I did what I was entitled to do and I voted against the report. I think I did what I could to run the committee in a fair way and ensure that witnesses were treated with respect and that any politician regardless of their views was heard.

"I agree with Mr Mullen's recommendations. There is no conflict because I voted against the report and that's democracy. The position of chairman no longer exists. I don't agree with the findings of the report, but respect the work. In politics, you're entitled to your opinion."

In 2021, it was recommended that an Oireachtas Special Committee be established to undertake an examination on the topic of assisted dying after the Justice Committee examined the Dying with Dignity Bill put forward by People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny. If enacted, this Bill would give a medical practitioner the legal right to assist a qualifying person to end their life.