Ireland

On January 18, 2006, the Trinity College Dublin Debating Society (established in 1770) hosted a debate on euthanasia.  Chaired by Professor Nigel Biggar and filmed for a Canadian documentary, the debate proposition was: "That This House Would Legalise Euthanasia."  

Summary and access to audio recordings of the debate.

Speakers favoring the proposition were:  

• Ludwig Minelli, founder of Dignitas, a Swiss organization that provides assisted suicide.  Minelli is an attorney and was a former journalist for Der Spiegel.

• Margaret Branthwaite, a member of and former chairman of England's Voluntary Euthanasia Society.  Branthwaite, a barrister, is a former consultant physician and anaesthetist at the Royal Brompton Hospital, London.   

Speakers opposing the proposition were: 

• Rev. Kevin Doran, secretary of the Irish Bishops Conference on Bioethics.

• Rita L. Marker, an attorney and executive director of the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide.

Following the debate, a vote was taken.  The proposition was defeated.