Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I move:

That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to establish a legal framework for assisted dying in Ireland.

Three and a half years ago, I introduced the dying with dignity Bill. With the Bill, I tried to start a profound discussion around the issue of assisted dying. I understand this is a complex issue which can pose a lot of questions about one's mortality. With the introduction of this new Bill, I believe we can go beyond a discussion and discuss legislation. As a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Assisted Dying, I was one of the 11 people out of 14 who recommended legislative change. It was a landmark decision on this issue. The committee made 38 recommendations. The Bill we are putting forward today reflects the key recommendations from the committee around eligibility, safeguarding and oversight. It is important if we are to deal with this issue, particularly insofar as it provides safeguards for vulnerable people.

The Bill sets out to set up a legal framework for how assisted dying can be implemented. I believe it can, with political will. It will be very difficult to do it within the lifetime of this Government. It will probably be a matter for whoever is in government in the next Dáil term. It should be in parties' manifestos for their programme for government. I would like to see this legislation introduced in the very near future. It concerns people in end-of-life circumstances. Who knows what the future holds for anybody? I believe, profoundly, that in certain circumstances in which people are terminally ill and do not want to go through certain days, weeks and months of their lives, they should be able to die on their own terms. It is a fundamental human right that somebody has that choice. People suffer. Regardless of what people say, there is an element of terrible suffering that is unbearable for some people in end-of-life care. Palliative care and hospice care are brilliant in this country but another choice should be given to people for end of life. I understand there is conflict among the medical community, the religious community, the civic community and even those in this House. I understand that. I really get it but I believe public opinion has changed. Some three quarters of people polled in the past three or four years indicated they would support assisted dying if it was legislated for. Things have moved on.

As legislators, we have to go forward and say that in certain circumstances in which people are terminally ill, they should have a choice. Today, I think of those who have gone before like Marie Fleming; Bernadette Forde; the great Vicky Phelan, who was a great supporter of assisted dying; and Brendan Clarke, who sadly passed away last August, and all those campaigners who have been campaigning for a change of legislation.

I believe we can change this legislation. This should transcend politics in some ways. It should transcend those who have religious views that oppose assisted dying. I get it but nobody should impose their religious views on something quite personal but which also has a societal impact.

This Bill is a kind of blueprint to legislate for assisted dying. I had hoped it would be taken in this Dáil term but realistically it will be for the next Government. On that basis, I hope that one day assisted dying can be legislated for in Ireland.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Is the Bill opposed?

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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No.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."