The incoming Government need to prioritise end of life care and not legislate for ‘assisted suicide’, the Catholic hierarchy has said in a statement following their latest quarterly meeting.

They urged newly elected TDs “to promote the dignity of every human person and the common good at all times”.

“We appeal [to] them to uphold human life at all its stages, and to prioritise the provision of palliative care for people living with chronic and terminal illness.”

The Bishops added: “Assisted suicide, far from being an expression of autonomy, is a failure of care.  By legislating for assisted suicide or euthanasia, the State would contribute to undermining the confidence of people who are terminally ill, who want to be cared for and want to live life as fully as possible until death naturally comes.

“In our culture, we rightly hold doctors and nurses in high esteem because they are presumed always to be at the service of life, for as long as their patient lives.  We call on Catholics to stand firmly in support of nurses and doctors who stand for life.”