FF would support assisted suicide debate in Citizens’ Assembly

Fianna Fáil has said they are not opposed to referring the issue of assisted suicide to a Citizens’ Assembly for discussion, according to reports.

A party spokesperson is quoted in the Medical Independent as saying they “would not oppose” this option. However, when contacted by this paper the party failed to answer a query relating to their position on assisted suicide.

This was the same for the Labour Party and Sinn Féin, who both remained silent on their stance on assisted suicide despite being given several days to respond.

According to the Medical Independent a Fine Gael spokesperson described assisted suicide as a complex issue, adding: “The competing interests of the individual would have to be balanced with the wider public interest in safeguarding persons who are nearing the end of their lives and who might be vulnerable and at risk of abuse. As such, the Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan has no plans to review the existing legislation.”

A Citizen’s Assembly was pivotal in the decision to hold a referendum in May of last year on whether to legislate to allow for abortion in Ireland.