Taoiseach Enda Kenny has rejected calls to legislate for assisted suicide. 
He was responding to Independent TD John Halligan, who raised the case of multiple sclerosis sufferer Marie Fleming, who is seeking the right to have her partner, Tom Curran, assist her in taking her own life, the Irish Times reports.
Earlier this year Ms Fleming failed in her bid to have assisted suicide recognised as a Constitutional right.
Speaking in the Dáil yesterday, Mr Halligan called on the Taoiseach to legislate for assisted suicide with necessary safeguards and to allow for the contentious issue to be debated in the Dáil.
However, Mr Kenny said that it was not open to him to legislate to permit assisted suicide.
He said: “By any standards this is an extraordinary case involving an extraordinary woman,” Mr Kenny said. “I believe that if this house were asked to find words to adequately describe the impeccable courage and dignity and competence of Ms Fleming it would probably be rendered mute.
“I understand the grief of this extraordinary woman and the commitment of her partner and family but it is not open to me to give you the commitment you seek.”
Outside the Dail, Mr Curran accused the Taoiseach of not understanding the Supreme Court ruling, which said there was no constitutional right-to-die but stated that the Oireachtas had the power to change legislation.
“I did expect him to say no but I didn’t expect him to say that he couldn’t, which is what he said,” Mr Curran said.
“He was completely wrong. He is saying it’s not within his power.
“The Supreme Court told the Oireachtas directly that is it within their power and they passed it back to the Oireachtas saying there was no constitutional ban on changing the law.”