Joe O'Reilly: Defends Emergency Mental-Health Response Option
Joe O'Reilly argued that emergency provisions for intervention must remain available in high-risk situations, acknowledging the minister's point that such measures are not ideal but can be necessary to protect lives. He spoke from his experience as founder and chairperson of the Bailey Burr Mental Health Association and warned against legally closing off emergency options.
He agreed with the Minister that emergency measures are not what anyone wants, but said they are necessary when there is a threat to an individual's life, a risk to others, or other high-risk situations. He described an emergency response as warranted in those circumstances.
He spoke from personal experience as founder and chairperson of the Bailey Burr Mental Health Association, noting the organisation's long-running work with the local mental health centre and the community. He said he was proud of that involvement and of being part of the effort to support vulnerable people.
He praised the sincerity and good intentions of colleagues on the left and said most participants enter the discussion in good faith. He echoed a measured, conciliatory tone while emphasising the hard choices involved in emergency responses.
He cautioned that it would be an error to legally remove the option of an emergency response, arguing the law should not close off the possibility of intervention in exceptional, life-threatening cases. He framed this as a necessary safeguard rather than a default approach.
Support for emergency provision
He agreed with the Minister that emergency measures are not what anyone wants, but said they are necessary when there is a threat to an individual's life, a risk to others, or other high-risk situations. He described an emergency response as warranted in those circumstances.
Personal background in mental health
He spoke from personal experience as founder and chairperson of the Bailey Burr Mental Health Association, noting the organisation's long-running work with the local mental health centre and the community. He said he was proud of that involvement and of being part of the effort to support vulnerable people.
Tone and sincerity in the debate
He praised the sincerity and good intentions of colleagues on the left and said most participants enter the discussion in good faith. He echoed a measured, conciliatory tone while emphasising the hard choices involved in emergency responses.
Legal and policy warning
He cautioned that it would be an error to legally remove the option of an emergency response, arguing the law should not close off the possibility of intervention in exceptional, life-threatening cases. He framed this as a necessary safeguard rather than a default approach.
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Transcript
Just briefly, Lasker here, look, the last two speakers on my left are coming from a good place and their hearts are in the right place and their very sincere contributions, and that's not an issue. But I do want to rise to say that I get exactly the point made by the Minister here, that in an emergency situation, of course it's not ideal, it's not what you want, and it's not what anyone wants, but in an emergency situation, whether it's a threat to the individual's life or possibly the lives of others, or there is a high-risk situation, I think an emergency response is needed, and I genuinely think that. And I, like everyone here, I was the, I'm very honoured to have been something, if I was asked to identify things that I am pleased to have been involved in my life, this will be one of them. I was the founder and chairperson of Bailey Burr Mental Health Association, which for years was very, very active on a number of fronts, and did a lot of work. And I was chairperson for a lot of them, and there was a succession of chairs after, but it done huge work in conjunction with the local mental health centre, and in the community generally. And I'm very proud of that involvement. So I'm speaking with a sincerity about this, and with a genuine interest in this subject. And I think the Minister is correct that that emergency provision has to, or possibility has to be there. It's nobody's wish. And I know that the two people speaking on the left are very sincere about this. I don't think anyone, unless a totally, very, very cynical individual, enters this kind of debate with anything other than sincerity. But I do think it would be an error to legally close off the option of an emergency response. Thank you. Karmaga Chandor Black. Karmaga Chandor Black. Karmaga Chandor Black.