State of the Nation: Euthanasia and the economic push

March was a hell of a month in Irish politics, but the most significant event for the people of this island passed by almost unremarked. Overshadowed by Varadkar’s resignation and the referendum results, the recommendation from the Oireachtas Committee that Ireland legalise assisting dying may prove to be a decisive moment.Michael and Wendy are on hand to dive into exactly why certain Irish politicians are so keen on hurrying up the final moments, even when Irish medical opinion is firmly against them. They also look at some of the horrific stories that have come out of jurisdictions that have legalised assisted suicide, like Canada, where the number of people using ‘Medical Assistance in Dying’ jumped 30% last year and the government there wants to open it up to people with mental illnesses.Michael notes that while those at the end of life deserve the very best palliative care available, many fear that the push for assisted suicide is driven by more economic factors. The highly connected British journalist and former Tory MP Matthew Paris revealed as much last weekend when he said that “we simply cannot afford extreme senescence or desperate infirmity for as many such individuals as our society is producing.”Campaigner Eilís Mulroy joins the team to discuss the dangerous consequences if the Irish equivalents of Paris get their way. For one of the few government ministers to support assisted suicide the last time it came up for a vote, was none other than our Taoiseach-to-be, Simon Harris.Whatever happens with Assisted Suicide in Ireland, you’ll find the real story right here, on State of the Nation. If you know someone who is affected by these issues, please spread the word, and forward them this episode.