Madam, - The reported remarks of Dan Neville TD the evil of euthanasia end with these words: "The acid test for our society is how it protects life in a way that promotes the wellbeing of its most vulnerable citizens, the very young, the very old" (The Irish Times, August 21st).
Mr Neville appears not to be concerned with the welfare of people who are enduring intolerable pain, whether mental or physical, and who have made a decision that they wish to end their lives and so bring an end to their suffering.
Not only that, he seems pleased that the law as it stands at present would send to jail for 14 years anyone who would assist in any way.
This hardline attitude is typical of the hypocrisy that is rampant in this country where a religious minister who assisted in a suicide is pursued relentlessly by the Department of Justice while known paedophiles are allowed to remain at large free to prey on more innocent victims whose lives will be ruined as a result. - Yours, etc,
CARMEL COURTNEY, Sandyford Road, Dublin 16.