Euthanasia lecture ‘promotes an illegal activity’

CORK University Hospital is hosting an invite-only lecture on April 9, entitled ‘Why euthanasia should be legalised’ by Prof Len Doyal.

This is sponsored by the HSE — a government body.

Euthanasia is killing, murder. It is against the law. The Government is sponsoring a talk promoting a crime. If I was old, infirm or disabled, I would be very concerned.

Prof Doyal is a vocal supporter of both voluntary and non-voluntary euthanasia. Non-voluntary euthanasia (NVE) is the killing of a person without his or her consent.

Prof Doyal supports NVE, using arguments derived from the legitimacy of withdrawing life-sustaining measures in “non-competent” individuals, and other moral, philosophical arguments based on the autonomy of the individual.

It may be said this is simply a debate on legislation in Ireland. There is no debate at this lecture. It is not the same as debating legislation on traffic control, or land zoning. It is a promotion of an illegal activity by the HSE and the Government.

I hope it is mere coincidence that, at a time when the HSE is seeking to find savings of €1.2bn in the health sector, it is promoting an activity that would reduce the cost of looking after those most dependent on medical care.

The lives of the most vulnerable should not be weighed up in terms of the economy.

Dualta Roughneen

Ballinamore

Kiltimagh

Co Mayo