A special Oireachtas Committee to examine legalising assisted suicide is expected to commence in October, according to People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny.

The formation of the committee was recommended in July, following the passage of the so-called Dying with Dignity Bill in the Dáil last year.

That legislation would give a medical practitioner the legal right to assist a terminally person to end their life.

The Oireachtas Justice Committee recommended the formation of a special committee on the issue earlier this year, after finding that the proposed legislation had “serious technical issues” and warranted more detailed examination.

Committee chair James Lawless also said at the time that the gravity of the topic would benefit from more thorough consideration.