The Special Oireachtas Joint Committee on Assisted Dying is set to publish its final report after months of hearing from both national and international experts.
RTÉ understands that it will recommend that the Government legislates to introduce assisted dying in the State.
This was a majority decision in which nine committee members voted in favour, three vote against, one abstained and one was not present.
The legislation would primarily apply to a person diagnosed with an illness or medical condition that is incurable, irreversible, progressive and advanced and will cause death within six months.
This time limit is likely set at 12 months for neurodegenerative conditions.
The committee says the proposed legislation should also state that the illness must be causing suffering which cannot be relieved in a way that the ill person finds tolerable.
In these cases, the person would be eligible to be assessed for assisted dying and it would all be overseen by a medical professional.
Assisted suicide would involve the person who wants to die taking the action to end their life.
However, euthanasia is also recommended, in which a doctor would take the action to end life when the person wanting to die is incapable physically to administer a medical substance.
The committee report will also include a conscientious clause allowing any doctor, nurse or medical worker not to be involved.
The committee believes that no constitutional change is required.
If the Cabinet backs the plan, any legislation would need to clear both Houses of the Oireachtas before the next general election – otherwise it all falls.
In an email to committee members yesterday, Mr Healy-Rae said after the “formalities” of publication he will attend an event with Independent Senator Rónán Mullen.
He said this is to “present a set of minority recommendations on behalf of the three committee members who dissented from adoption of the final report”.
Responding, the Mr Farrell accused Mr Healy-Rae of undermining the report and claimed his position is now “untenable” as a chair cannot present a report he opposes.
However, Senator Mullen said Mr Healy-Rae had been courteous in informing everyone by email of his intentions.
He said Mr Healy-Rae was an elected member of the Oireachtas, who had both a voice and a vote, and it stood to reason that he should be able to speak his mind once the main report was published.
Committee members who support legislating for assisted dying, said they wanted to focus on the report’s recommendations.
Sinn Féin’s health spokesperson and committee member David Cullinane said the report “will recommend legislating for assisted dying in very limited and restricted circumstances and with appropriate safeguards”.
“Sinn Féin supports such an approach,” he said.
However, he added: “We must be respectful of all views, including those who do not wish to legislate.
“Progressing legislation will need to be done carefully and with appropriate levels of scrutiny.”
People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny, also a committee member, said: “What’s important is the findings of the report and work of the committee over the past year.”
He added there was “never going to be consensus on the issue” but the majority of members clearly recommended “legislative change”.
