The Government is likely to oppose a private-members bill aimed at legalising assisted suicide, despite some in power thinking it should be supported.

The bill, tabled by left-wing TD Gino Kenny, will be debated in the Dáil on September 15. While the departments of health and justice are said to be “hostile” to what the bill intends, according to The Irish Examiner politicians in each of the three Government parties believe there is some merit to it.

This is largely due to Vicky Phelan, the well-known cancer campaigner, having thrown her support behind it.

Most palliative care doctors are opposed to assisted suicide.

According to unnamed sources, there is doubt whether such a rigid approach will fly with all three parties in Government. Senior sources in the Green Party have said several of its TDs are sympathetic to the merits of the bill.