A leading cleric has appealed to voters in both Ireland and Britain to lobby their representatives to reject euthanasia and assisted suicide proposals.

Tomorrow, a bill will be introduced into the Westminster Parliament to enable assisted suicide, and on Thursday the Final Report of the Joint Committee on Assisted Dying, which recommends euthanasia and assisted suicide for the terminally ill, will be discussed by the Dail.

The Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin said such laws are “an affront to a safe and protective society” and “should be strongly opposed”.

“As a society we are defined by the extent to which we care for our most vulnerable persons including those suffering from disabilities, terminal illness or otherwise nearing the end of life”.

He added that medical and healthcare professionals are also gravely concerned at “an evolving political ideology which would interfere with their calling to ‘do no harm’ and which would legally erode the right to life at all stages.”

Archbishop Martin urged all people to contact their MPs or TDs and senators as soon as possible to ask them to reject such proposals.