The first public meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying is underway at Leinster House this afternoon with two local TDs in attendance.
Longford Westmeath Fianna Fail TD Robert Troy and Sinn Fein's Sorca Clarke currently sit on the committee with a range of other deputies and Senators
The committee will decide recommendations on whether Ireland should allow people to choose to end their own lives, in certain situations.
The Department of Justice has warned any legislation on assisted suicide would need to have incredibly strong safeguards for vulnerable people.
The committee's first witness was the Head of Legislation for Criminal Justice at the Department of Justice, Rachel Woods.
She says any new laws would have to be carefully considered.
