Sinn Féin have pledged to support the progress of new legislation [1] which would permit assisted suicide. The Bill defines ‘terminal illness’ broadly and a person does not have have to be within a certain number of months of death to avail of it.
Speaking on Monday, Sinn Féin TD Eoin O’Broin said the party will support the Bill of socialist TD, Gino Kenny, moving to the next stage in the Dáil when it comes up for debate.
“Our view is that we think we should allow the Bill to pass through second stage so that you can have that full and frank proper discussion in the committee before we decide how to proceed.”
He said it is a significant issue which merits a national debate.
“There are different views inside our party on it, but not having a debate, I don’t think, is not a solution for anybody.”
Palliative care doctors and geriatricians who have spoken to date are against assisted suicide on the grounds that it targets vulnerable people.
Labour Party leader Alan Kelly says he supports the Bill.
The Government has been urged to allow its TDs a free vote on the legislation. The legislation has gone into the Dáil lottery system where private members Bills are chosen on a random basis for debate in the House.
It is therefore not yet known when it will be debated.