A row has erupted between members of the Oireachtas Special Committee on Assisted Dying in advance of the publication of its final report tomorrow.
Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell has accused chair Michael Healy-Rae of undermining the report and claimed his position is now “untenable”.
It has previously been reported that the main finding of the committee is for assisted dying to be legislated for in Ireland, something Mr Healy-Rae personally opposes.
In an email to committee members, Mr Healy-Rae said after the “formalities” of publication he will attend an event with Independent Senator Ronan 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.”
The other committee member opposed to legislating for assisted dying is known to be Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy.
However, Mr Healy Rae’s position has drawn a blistering response from Alan Farrell.
In an email seen by RTÉ News, he accuses Mr Healy-Rae of “seeking to undermine the credibility of the very report you shepherded through the difficult process we all ventured into, together.”
Mr Farrell said: “Deputy Troy and Senator Mullen are perfectly entitled to express their personal views, which I expect, but as Cathaoirleach, to present the report without accepting the report, is untenable.”
“I make no bones whatsoever for highlighting this, in advance of the report launch tomorrow,” he added.
