Sir, – Gino Kenny TD seems very keen to proceed with legislation on the basis of the recently published report from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying (Letters, March 28th). He states that the committee’s views “reflect public opinion which clearly indicates support for legislating for assisted dying”. It is unclear how he knows this since the committee did not have an open call for submissions from the public. In addition, he fails to mention that the committee itself was remarkably divided on this issue. Out of 14 members, there were three who voted against the report and one abstained. A minority report was issued by three of the members, including the chair of the committee. This is hardly a ringing endorsement for the final report.
This question should be now put to a referendum, or at the very least a citizens’ assembly, as the Irish public needs time to consider the nuances of this complex issue and the potential implications of any decision. – Yours, etc,
MARY COTTER,
Howth,
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Dublin 13.
