Limerick TD wants to 'start national conversation' on assisted dying bill

LIMERICK City TD Conor Sheehan wants to see legislation on dying with dignity progressed.

It comes after politicians in the British parliament passed a bill to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales, by a narrow margin.

Here in Ireland, members of the Dail last year voted in favour of a 96-page report which called on the government to legalise assisted dying in certain restricted circumstances.

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It came from a special Oireachtas Joint Committee on Assisted Dying, whose report contained 38 recommendations.

These included the establishment of an independent body to oversee all assisted dying applications and increased funding for palliative care.

Mr Sheehan said: “I think it’s something which needs to be done”.

“I want to see us progress legislation in relation to this. Gino Kenny (former Dublin TD) has done a lot of good work. I think it’s something we need to have a national conversation about,” said Mr Sheehan.

The Labour deputy acknowledged this conversation is “something which is difficult and uncomfortable”.

He acknowledged it would be an issue of conscience.

“I would lean slightly in favour. But at the same time, I would need to be confident there would be adequate safeguards in place,” he added.

British MPs were allowed a free vote on whether the legislation should pass for England and Wales.

This means they were not instructed to vote one way or the other by their parties and could instead vote according to their personal beliefs.

Mr Sheehan said he feels any legislation on dying with dignity in Ireland would need to be stronger than what was passed at Westminster.

As part of a wide-ranging interview, Mr Sheehan reflected on his first seven months representing the city in Dail Eireann.

In that time, he has become a high-profile frontbencher as housing spokesperson.

He took the final seat in Limerick City in dramatic circumstances last November - and revealed he hid in a toilet cubicle in a bid for some head space!