Activists celebrate the result of the Dáil vote on assisted death legislation

PEOPLE BEFORE THE EARNINGS TD Gino Kenny has paid tribute to the dying activists assisted after the Dáil voted to send the Dying with Dignity Bill to committee stage.

Kenny also suggested that an Oireachtas committee could finalize a report on assisted death in early spring, but said it remains “difficult to know” whether the legislation could become law next year.

The bill, which was introduced by Kenny, was voted on at the committee stage by 81-71 in the Dáil last night, after the Government TDs got a free vote on it.

That followed the earlier defeat of a government motion that would have seen a special committee of the Oireachtas look at the issue of assisted death, a process that would have delayed any proposed legislation for up to a year or more.

The proposed legislation would allow assisted death in limited circumstances, allowing medical professionals to help some terminally ill patients end their own lives.

Talking to TheJournal.ie This afternoon, Kenny expressed his happiness at the result of last night’s vote, particularly for Vicky Phelan and Tom Curran, whose partner Marie Fleming lost a landmark case about the right to die in 2013.

“I am delighted for them because they are among those who have been campaigning for this for a long time,” said Kenny.

“Last night was an important step to change the law. We are not there yet and there is still a long way to go to change the law on assisted death, but it was a good day for democracy ”.

Phelan said he did not expect the legislation to pass the way it did, believing the government’s proposal for a special committee would pass.

“I was really biting my nails, but it was very welcome. I’m really delighted to see it come to pass, ”she said.

“I was here in front of the television as if I was watching Liverpool and Manchester United. I was jumping up and down looking at the numbers. I couldn’t sit down. “

In recent weeks, Phelan called on all TDs to support the bill, saying that assisted dying offered hope to terminally ill people.

“I’m at a stage where I won’t have more than two years left,” he said. TheJournal.ie.

“I might need this bill, because things are starting to change for me. If the bill is in place by the time I die, probably not; thats the reality.

“But I don’t think it can be ignored at this stage. I think Ireland is ready for this. There are some people who totally disagree with this, but I don’t think the arguments are strong enough. “

He also welcomed the fact that a committee of Oireachtas could now examine the bill, adding that he would not like to see a broader bill in place that would allow those who were not terminally ill to have medical assistance for To die.

With a report by Rónán Duffy.