Advance directives are not legally binding in Ireland. However, according to Costello (1998), in a recent Ward of Court case, certain comments were made by the Supreme Court to the effect that views expressed by a person in relation to future medical treatment (which could have been written in an advance directive) would be taken into account by the Court in coming to decisions in relation to the termination of treatment.

It is possible for a person to complete an Enduring Power of Attorney to sort out their financial affairs and put in place funding arrangements for future care. In addition, a person can give instructions in relation to personal care decisions such as:

• where they should live
• with whom they should live
• whom they should see or not see
• what training or rehabilitation the person should receive
• the person’s diet/dress
• who may inspect the person’s personal papers
• what housing, social welfare or other benefits the person needs

Nevertheless, a person cannot express wishes regarding treatment that are legally binding.