PRESS RELEASE (draft)
17th April 2014
Immediate release
THE IRISH HOSPICE FOUNDATION WELCOMES SEANAD
DEBATE ON END OF LIFE IN IRELAND
The Irish Hospice Foundation today welcomed the holding of a debate on end of life in Ireland in
Seanad Éireann last night as an important contribution to further public discussion on the issues of
dying, death and bereavement.
The debate was held at the behest of Senator Marie Louise O’Donnell who proposed a Private
Members Motion calling on the Government to put in place a review to explore the components of
an overarching strategy on End of Life and Bereavement which would look at the wider societal
issues arising including legal, financial, economic, educational and cultural aspects.
Sharon Foley, CEO of the IHF, commented: “The Irish Hospice Foundation welcomes Senator Marie
Louise O’Donnell’s motion and the opening of a debate in the Seanad about end-of-life issues. This
follows a very positive series of hearings on end-of-life care which was conducted by the Oireachtas
Committee on Health and Children last year. This debate can help to start the process of looking at
all aspects of end of life - not just healthcare. An examination of this kind would be helpful in
ensuring that we plan for all services at an individual and social level that we need to support
people to live and die well.”
Senator O’Donnell proposed a process involving an examination of the issues by a crossdepartmental working or advisory group led by the Department of the Taoiseach. Such a group
would invite submissions from interested parties and seek out the views of the public. The purpose
of the group would be to develop a blueprint for action to ensure that people could live well at the
end of their lives and their families are supported in their bereavement. Senator David Norris and
Senator Jillian Van Turnhout seconded the motion which was supported by a broad cross section of
Senators and which passed unanimously.
Ends
For more information, please contact:
Rebecca Kelly, Communications Coordinator, the Irish Hospice Foundation
Tel: 01 679 3188 or rebecca.kelly@hospicefoundation.ie
Caroline Lynch, Head of Communications and Advocacy, the Irish Hospice Foundation
Tel: 087-123 75 86 or caroline.lynch@hospicefoundation.ie