Joint Committee on Assisted Dying to hold two meetings tomorrow on the topics of assisted dying in Canada and on healthcare provision in Ireland

The first session will take place between 11:00-14:00 on the topic of healthcare provision and healthcare professionals. This is the third public meeting in a series of four in the Committee’s module examining ethical and professional issues relating to assisted dying.

The following representatives are due to appear:
• Representatives from Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI)
• Representatives from the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA)
• Representatives from Irish Doctors Supporting Medical Assistance in Dying

The second session will take place between 19:00-22:00 on the topic of assisted dying in Canada. This is the third public meeting in a series of four in the Committee’s module examining the international context of assisted dying.

The following representatives are due to appear:
• Dr Heidi Janz, Associate Adjunct Professor, John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre, University of Alberta
• Dr Konia Trouton, President, Canadian Association of MAID Assessors and Providers
• Dr Leonie Herx, Associate Professor and Consultant Physician in Palliative Medicine at Queen’s University and former President of the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians
• Dr Jocelyn Downie, Professor Emeritus Faculties of Law and Medicine Dalhousie University
• Professor Trudo Lemmens, Professor and Scholl Chair in Health Law and Policy Faculty of Law, University of Toronto

Speaking ahead of the meeting Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Michael Healy Rae said: “We welcome the opportunity to hear from Irish healthcare professionals on the topic of healthcare and assisted dying and latterly on the experience of healthcare professionals and experts on the Canadian experience of assisted dying.”

“We look forward to discussing the ethical and medical concerns around the potential introduction of assisted dying. The importance of palliative care has been highlighted repeatedly to the Committee and we expect to discuss what impact – if any - assisted dying risks taking resources from palliative care, psychiatric and other support services. The issue of conscientious objection being allowed for doctors and healthcare providers, the provision of an opt out system and the importance of the doctor-patient relationship are among the topics we will discuss.”

“In our second session, we will discuss assisted dying in Canada, commonly known there as medical assistance in dying (MAiD) which was legalised in 2016 following a Supreme Court decision in the case of Carter v. Canada (Attorney General) in 2015 which ruled that the criminal laws prohibiting assistance in dying limited the rights to life, liberty and security of the person.”

“Under Canadian law, an individual does not need to have a fatal or terminal condition to be eligible for medical assistance in dying. In March 2024, it is planned to allow mental illnesses to be allowed as a grievous and irremediable medical condition if they meet the criteria.”

“In order to be eligible for MAiD, several criteria must be met. These include: An individual must be at least 18 years old and mentally competent, have a grievous and irremediable medical condition, and be able to give informed consent to receive medical assistance in dying.”

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.