Key Takeaways:
– Disability advocates in Ireland and the UK are opposing assisted suicide legislation citing fears of ‘euthanasia by stealth.’
– The Irish Parliament’s lower house noted a report recommending assisted suicide for terminally ill adults, but the bill failed.
– The cost of disability in Ireland is on average 3 times more than for the general population.
– Critics argue the bill may diminish services, decrease palliative care funding, and harm vulnerable communities.
– In the UK, concerns around lack of palliative care echo those in Ireland.
Ireland’s Stance on Assisted Suicide
In recent discussions surrounding assisted suicide, Irish disability rights advocates are voicing their concerns. Leading this opposition, Dr. Margaret Kennedy recently stated her fears about what she termed ‘euthanasia by stealth.’
A few weeks ago, the lower house of the Irish Parliament decided to take note of a report recommending legalization of assisted suicide for terminally ill Irish adults. The report suggested this option for those suffering intolerably, with the patients having six months or less to live. For neurodegenerative conditions, this period increased to 12 months. However, by November 8, the bill, known as the ‘Act to establish a legal framework for assisted dying in Ireland’ did not pass.
The Ongoing Debate: Financial Stresses for Disabled Individuals
Parallel to the ongoing debate, the report on the Cost of Disability in Ireland highlighted the extra financial burdens faced by disabled people. It found that in 2021 alone, additional living costs for disabled people ranged between €8,700 and €10,000, a figure which is estimated to have risen due to inflation. Despite this, according to Kennedy, the one-time payments made to assist these individuals, as stated in Ireland’s Budget for 2025, are far from sufficient.
Kennedy pointed out that the cost of living for disabled, sick, or elderly individuals in Ireland is three times that of the general population. She further argued that instead of legalizing assisted dying, the focus should be on addressing disability poverty and lack of services, intensifying her stand with the claim that Ireland is among the worst European nations in terms of poverty rates among disabled people.
Impact of Assisted Dying Legislation on Essential Services
Kennedy’s main argument is that any assisted dying legislation has the potential to further erode essential services. The establishment of such a law could lead to reduced investment in palliative care. This reduction could ultimately harm vulnerable groups both financially and psychologically.
Many doctors in Ireland, along with groups representing disabled and elderly individuals, share her concerns. They caution against a scenario similar to what happened in countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, and Canada, where the grounds for assisted suicide and euthanasia are continually expanding.
The UK’s Perspective on Assisted Suicide
Similar concerns are felt across the Irish Sea in the United Kingdom. British lawmakers recently approved an assisted dying bill for patients with only six months to live. Merry Cross, a British disability advocate, echoed Kennedy’s sentiments about the dangers of such a bill for disabled individuals.
Cross emphasized the need for resources to help disabled people live with dignity, instead of facilitating their deaths. She pointed out that cuts to benefits and the availability of caregivers have already resulted in hundreds of deaths among disabled individuals.
In summary, the debate on assisted suicide legislation continues to stir concern among disability advocates in both Ireland and the UK. Their argument seeks to prioritize the reduction of disability poverty and improving services, as opposed to legalizing assisted dying. With ongoing legislative discussion, the final say remains uncertain.