Irish psychiatrists warn against assisted suicide proposals

The College of Physicians of Ireland has warned against assisted suicide saying the practice is not compatible with good care and undermines patient safety.

Speaking this week, Dr Eric Kelleher, a spokesman for the College, said:

“We are acutely aware of the sensitivity of this subject, and understand and support the fact that dying with dignity is the goal of all end-of-life care. Strengthening our palliative care and social support networks makes this possible.

"Not only is assisted dying or euthanasia not necessary for a dignified death, but techniques used to bring about death can themselves result in considerable and protracted suffering. Where assisted dying is available, many requests stem, not from intractable pain, but from such causes as fear, depression, loneliness, and the wish not to burden carers."

"With adequate resources, including psychiatric care, psychological care, palliative medicine, pain services, and social supports, good end-of-life care is possible".

This year, a newly-established parliamentary committee will examine assisted suicide proposals first brought forward in 2020 but stopped from progressing by the Oireachtas Committee on Justice last year.

The 'Dying with Dignity' Bill was heavily criticised by medical professionals, including experts in palliative medicine. Nearly all the medical submissions to the Committee were against the Bill.

It was also criticised for having a lack of safeguards by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and several disability advocates came down very strongly against the Bill.