Right to Life

Information

The Constitution specifically recognises and protects your right to life.

Your right to life also means a right to have nature take its course and to die a natural death. That does not mean that you have a right to have your life terminated or death accelerated. Your right to die is simply a right to die a natural death and not to be kept alive by artificial means.

The right to life of the unborn was inserted into the Constitution by a constitutional amendment in 1983. The equal right to life of the mother is also protected. In 1992, two amendments were added to the Constitution; the right of the mother to travel to another state and freedom of information in relation to services available in another state.

You can view the full text of the Irish Constitution here.

Page updated: 19 March 2008

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