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Assisted Dying in Ireland 
Ireland is currently debating the legalisation of assisted dying following a historic recommendation by a Joint Oireachtas Committee in 2024, though the practice remains prohibited by law.
Legal Status
Both medical assisted dying and voluntary assisted dying are criminal offences under the Criminal Law (Suicide) Act 1993.
Key Legislation
Criminal Law (Suicide) Act 1993 (Section 2.2) makes it an offence to aid, abet, counsel, or procure the suicide of another person, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Eligibility
None. There is currently no legal pathway for assisted dying in Ireland.
Summary
Ireland is in a period of significant political and social examination regarding end of life rights. While the Supreme Court has ruled (in Fleming v Ireland, 2013) that there is no constitutional right to die, it explicitly stated that there is no constitutional impediment to the Oireachtas (Parliament) legislating for it.
In March 2024, the Joint Committee on Assisted Dying released a landmark report recommending the introduction of legislation to allow for assisted dying in restricted circumstances. Despite this progress and high public support, the “Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill” has faced legislative delays and the dissolution of the Dáil in late 2024, leaving the practice illegal.
Quick Overview
From Prohibition to Parliamentary Debate.
Law on Euthanasia (Passed Oct 2025)
Click to view the More details.
For decades, Ireland held some of the strictest prohibitions on suicide and assistance in dying. While the act of suicide itself was decriminalized in 1993, assisting someone remains a serious crime.
The landscape shifted significantly with the case of Marie Fleming (2013), a woman with MS who challenged the ban. Although she lost, the ruling clarified that Parliament had the power to change the law. This led to the introduction of the “Dying with Dignity Bill 2020” and the subsequent formation of a Special Joint Committee.
In 2024, that Committee recommended a change in the law, proposing that assisted dying be allowed for those with life-limiting conditions. However, with the lapse of the 2024 Bill upon the Dáil’s dissolution, campaigners are now pushing for the new government to prioritize the recommended legislation.
Visit the ministry of Public Health
for more info.
History and Legislation
Ireland’s journey has moved from the courts to the legislature.
Fleming v Ireland (2013): Marie Fleming, suffering from late-stage Multiple Sclerosis, appealed to the Supreme Court to allow her partner to help her die without prosecution. The Court rejected her appeal, upholding the ban in the 1993 Act to protect vulnerable people, but crucially ruled that the Oireachtas (Parliament) has the exclusive right to legislate on the matter.
Dying with Dignity Bill (2020): Introduced by Gino Kenny TD, this private member’s bill passed its Second Stage in the Dáil in October 2020. Rather than progressing directly, it was referred to a rigorous scrutiny process.
Joint Committee on Assisted Dying (2023-2024): A special cross-party committee spent nine months examining the issue. In March 2024, they published their final report, recommending that the government introduce legislation to allow assisted dying for people with a prognosis of 6 months (or 12 months for neurodegenerative conditions).
Current Legislative Status (2025-2026): Following the Committee’s report, a “Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2024” was initiated. However, legislative progress was halted by the general election cycle and the dissolution of the Dáil in November 2024. As of 2026, the bill must be reinstated or reintroduced by the new government to proceed.
Who is Eligible?
Currently, no one is eligible. Under the Criminal Law (Suicide) Act 1993, anyone assisting a death faces up to 14 years in prison.
Proposed Criteria (2024 Committee Recommendations): If the recommended legislation were enacted, eligibility would likely include:
- Assessment: Assessment by two independent doctors.
- Residency: Irish citizens or those ordinarily resident in Ireland for at least 12 months.
- Age: Adults (18+).
- Condition: Someone with an incurable, irreversible, progressive, and advanced illness that will cause death within 6 months (or 12 months for neurodegenerative conditions).
- Capacity: The person must have full mental capacity to make the decision.
Visit the ministry of Public Health
for more info.
Members
Our Irish Members
We currently have 63 are members of the World Federation, with 3 based in South America.
latest news
The latest news from our members and from around the world
Our members produce helpful factsheets and newsletters. The Federation is always happy to share other sources of information in favour of our joint mission to advance assisted dying around the world.
