Troy: Assisted dying legislation would ‘diminish value of life’

Assisted dying legislation would “diminish the value of life”, according to Deputy Robert Troy, who is instead calling on government to increase palliate care funding.

His comments follow a recommendation by the Joint Committee on Assisted Dying last week that euthanasia be allowed for those diagnosed with terminal illness in Ireland.

That would apply to those given six months to live, such as in certain cancer diagnoses, or 12 months for those with neurodegenerative conditions, such as motor neuron disease.

The assisted dying committee, of which Deputy Troy was a member, was established 12 months ago and was made up of 14 TDs and senators from across the political divide.

While a majority of the committee voted in favour of recommending the legalisation of euthanasia, independent TD Michael Healy Rae, Senator Ronan Mullen, and Deputy Troy voted against it.

He told the Westmeath Examiner this week he started off in the committee with “an open mind”, but was not convinced by arguments in favour of assisted dying.

“The medical personnel we listened to, by and large, were opposed to any changes,” said Deputy Troy.

“When you listen to people who work in palliative care, working day and night to ensure people given terminal diagnosis get to die in dignity and minimal pain, they all advocate for no change.

“Disability groups posed us the question: ‘Why are you not talking about helping us to live a better life as opposed to helping people die with dignity?’.”

Deputy Troy said he was also unconvinced by how assisted dying was working in other countries. “It starts off in restricted cases before it broadens and, unfortunately, it is open to abuse,” he said.

“It diminishes the value of life and people start to question whether they are a burden on their family or a burden on wider society.

“We also run the risk of people ending their lives prematurely as the timelines people are given are not always definitive.

“Some people could be given six months and last much longer, others can be given longer and last shorter – it’s not an exact science.”

Deputy Troy is calling for government to increase funding of palliative care services. “I have great sympathy for people who get diagnosed with an awful disease,” he said.

“One of our recommendations is for the government to put extra money into palliative care to support people who are at their end of life.

“It’s important that people can live their final days, weeks, and months with support to minimise pain and show a comfortable transition from life to death is possible.”

The assisted dying committee heard from medical practitioners, constitutional law experts, and those diagnosed with terminal conditions before making the recommendation. It is now in the hands of government to legislate, if they so wish, according to Deputy Troy.

“Constitutionally, this doesn’t need a referendum,” he said.

“The recommendation is given to government and it’s up to them to decide on whether to accept it, amend it or recommend it.

“If they do accept it, it will be up to the government to publish legislation to give it effect.

“But I don’t envisage any legislation being published this side of a general election – it will be the next government’s responsibility to handle this issue.”

Joint Committee

The Joint Committee on Assisted Dying was established after a private members bill brought forward by People Before Profit TD Gino Kelly in 2020.

Local Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke had been one of the original 14 members but was swapped for party colleague and TD David Cullinane some months ago.