The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI), the country’s leading postgraduate medical training college, has voiced its opposition to proposed legislation that would legalize “assisted suicide.” In a statement released on Wednesday, the group maintained this proposal is “contrary to best medical practice.” The group analyzed research literature and surveyed medical professional bodies’ stances both in Ireland and globally to arrive at this conclusion.
Dr. Diarmuid O’Shea, the President of the RCPI, emphasized that dying with dignity is achievable through compassionate and quality care, and the people providing these services should be appropriately supported and funded. The statement has come following the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Assisted Dying report which recommended legislating for assisted suicide in Ireland.
The move has led to concerns of potential harm and unintended consequences that such legislation could bring. Critics argue that it could undermine end-of-life care and not accurately reflect the evidence presented by professionals. Notably, Ireland remains a predominantly Catholic nation, with a total of 69% of the population identifying as Catholic as of 2022.