In recent weeks, TD’s voted by 76 to 53 to note the final report of the Joint Committee on Assisted Dying. The vote is not binding and is an acceptance of the report
and the merits of the findings of the committee’s report. Deputy Gino Kenny who was vice-chair of the special committee and pushed for a vote on the report’s recommendations said,” Throughout the lifetime of this government I have put forward legislation to progress the issue of assisted dying. In 2020 the Dignity in Dying Bill was passed by 81 to 71 votes to proceed to the next stage of the legislative scrutiny process. The Oireachtas Justice Committee subsequently recommended that a special committee be established to further examine the issue. The recommendations from that special committee by 11 votes to 3 recommended legislative change in its final report. Its now clear that there is an indication to progress the issue of assisted dying legistively. It will be the next government which will have to address this Dáil’s message and prepare for legislation in the coming years.”
