The pro-euthanasia recommendations contained in the Oireachtas report on Assisted Dying were met with vocal opposition from some TDs in the Dáil yesterday.

In a nearly empty chamber, most of the TDs who spoke were opposed to any relaxation of the prohibition against killing others.

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said that as a country we should focus on “assisted living” instead of “assisted dying”.

Independent TD for Laois-Offaly, Deputy Carol Nolan, said the recommendations “represent the crossing of an ethical and legislative Rubicon that is almost too terrifying to contemplate.”

Galway West Fianna Fáil TD, Éamon Ó Cuív, told the Dáil that once the door is opened to euthanasia there’s no way of limiting access—it inevitably gets widened more and more.

Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy, who was a member of the Joint Committee, said the experts who presented evidence there left him with “a huge concern” at what would happen if euthanasia was introduced.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael TD from Kildare Bernard Durkan told the Dáil reiterated his consistent opposition to such legislation and expressed grave concern at the way pro-euthanasia/assisted suicide laws in other countries had developed.