Gino Kenny urges conscience vote on Dying with Dignity Bill
Gino Kenny urged support for a conscience vote on the Dying with Dignity Bill ahead of next Thursday’s debate, calling for a rational, cross-party discussion. He asked colleagues, including government parties, to allow free votes on the matter rather than strict party discipline.
Upcoming debate
The Dying with Dignity Bill will be debated next Thursday, the deputy said. He noted the issue elicits a variety of views across political parties, the House and wider society.
Call for conscience votes
The deputy called on colleagues to support a vote of conscience not only within their own parties but also among government parties. He stressed the importance of a rational debate on an issue he described as very important to society as a whole.
Government and party response
A responding member said the bill had not yet been discussed at Cabinet or within their own party. They indicated that flexibility on conscience matters - allowing free votes in complex cases - is a real possibility, though not the usual practice in the House.
Next steps and decision-making
The responding member said each party will speak for itself and that their approach will be confirmed after internal party discussion. They emphasised that the question should not be divided on party political grounds and that parties will revert once they have agreed a position.
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Sir, next Thursday a very, very important debate will happen in this House. The Dying with Dignity Bill will be debated next Thursday and I understand there is a variety of views not only in political parties and not only in this House but society as a whole. But I'm calling on you to support a vote of conscience not only in your own party but also the government parties as well because it's very, very important there's a rational debate on this issue which is very important to society as a whole. Thank you. Thank you. Deputy, I'm aware of the legislation I talked to you last week about it and it hasn't been discussed as Cabinet and we haven't discussed it yet with our own party. But my understanding is, certainly with our own party's perspective, that such flexibility or such an approach is a real possibility. It's not the norm in this House but where there are matters of complex conscience where there are very different views, that tends to be a possibility. So I certainly would not rule that out. Following a discussion with our own party we will revert back to what our approach is. As I said it hasn't been discussed in Government yet but each party really would have to speak for itself in tune with the sort of approach that you're suggesting. That this is not something that we divide on party political grounds.
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