{"id":24632,"date":"2022-01-02T09:16:15","date_gmt":"2022-01-02T14:16:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24632"},"modified":"2022-01-02T09:16:19","modified_gmt":"2022-01-02T14:16:19","slug":"mcdonald-calls-for-national-conversation-on-the-right-to-die","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24632","title":{"rendered":"McDonald Calls For National Conversation On The Right To Die"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
The Sinn F\u00e9in president said campaigners like Vicky Phelan, who have called for legislation on the issue, have made \u2018a really compelling case\u2019 (PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mary Lou McDonald has called for a national conversation on the right to die, saying the political system has \u201cdragged its heels\u201d on the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sinn F\u00e9in president said campaigners like Vicky Phelan, who have called on Government to introduce laws to give terminally ill people the option of medically assisted death, have made \u201ca really compelling case\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms McDonald said, although the issue is \u201cfraught and sensitive\u201d, that does not absolve legislators from taking action, and that the debate must not drag on \u201cendlessly for another decade\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said: \u201cI think that Vicky and, indeed others, have made a really compelling case based on human dignity and choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI follow very carefully what they have to say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI also listen very carefully to those who deliver palliative care, who are all about dignity in death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think we need to we need to step our way through this issue with considerable thoughtfulness, because it\u2019s a fairly fraught and sensitive issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fact that it\u2019s fraught and sensitive does not absolve us as legislators from actually taking decisions and moving the debate on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would like to think that we will not have a debate around this issue that drags on endlessly for another decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI mean, I think we are now at a point where we need to have the conversation, we need to listen to the evidence, we need to listen to all of the perspectives, and then we need to take a decision.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms McDonald said, while she has yet to take a firm position on the issue, a decision is needed sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She told the PA news agency: \u201cI have an open mind on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have a fixed or a firm view, except that the political system has dragged its heels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need to get to a position where we make a call on things and to do that, and to do that well and do it honorably, we need to have all of the perspectives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The subject has been brought to the fore by campaigners like Ms Phelan, the terminally ill cervical cancer campaigner, who has called publicly on Government to act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She has supported legislation brought forward by People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny, the Dying With Dignity Bill 2020, but has expressed frustration with a lack of political will to move on the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms McDonald has heaped praise on Ms Phelan, saying she is paying close attention to her campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI mean, what an incredible woman, what an incredible advocate,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnything she says, and people like Vicky, it certainly lands with me and I hear her loud and clear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Share this:<\/h3>