Martin Daly presses for committee date on Mental Health Bill
Martin Daly asked the minister when the Mental Health Bill 2024 will proceed to committee stage, stressing the need to get the legislation right. He warned that while strong safeguards are essential, timely and appropriate access to treatment for people who are seriously ill — including rare cases of involuntary admission — must be ensured.
Martin Daly asked the minister to indicate when the Mental Health Bill 2024 will proceed to committee stage for examination, describing the timetable as critical to achieving the right protections and care.
He emphasised that strong safeguards are essential, but argued that people who are seriously ill and cannot make decisions for themselves must also have timely and appropriate access to treatment. He noted that involuntary admission is a minority of cases and typically for a short period, and that those patients need prompt intervention.
The minister replied that the Bill is a priority for Government and that restoring the Bill to the Order paper was one of the first actions undertaken by the Government. The minister said she was pleased to have reinstated the Bill for further consideration.
The minister said she had met the Attorney General the previous week and that only a few technical amendments remain, some linked to the Assistant Decision Making Capacity Act. She signalled an intention to bring the Bill to committee stage next month.
Both speaker and minister framed committee consideration as the immediate next step, with the minister expressing hope to finalise technicalities and proceed to committee in the coming month. The exchange focused on timing, safeguards, and ensuring timely access to treatment as the Bill advances.
Question on committee timing
Martin Daly asked the minister to indicate when the Mental Health Bill 2024 will proceed to committee stage for examination, describing the timetable as critical to achieving the right protections and care.
Safeguards and access to treatment
He emphasised that strong safeguards are essential, but argued that people who are seriously ill and cannot make decisions for themselves must also have timely and appropriate access to treatment. He noted that involuntary admission is a minority of cases and typically for a short period, and that those patients need prompt intervention.
Government response and reinstatement
The minister replied that the Bill is a priority for Government and that restoring the Bill to the Order paper was one of the first actions undertaken by the Government. The minister said she was pleased to have reinstated the Bill for further consideration.
Technical amendments and linked legislation
The minister said she had met the Attorney General the previous week and that only a few technical amendments remain, some linked to the Assistant Decision Making Capacity Act. She signalled an intention to bring the Bill to committee stage next month.
Next steps and timetable
Both speaker and minister framed committee consideration as the immediate next step, with the minister expressing hope to finalise technicalities and proceed to committee in the coming month. The exchange focused on timing, safeguards, and ensuring timely access to treatment as the Bill advances.
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Transcript
If I could ask the Minister if she could indicate when the Mental Health Bill 2024 will proceed to committee stage for examination. It is absolutely critical we get this legislation right. While strong safeguards are essential, we must also ensure timely and appropriate access to treatment for people who are seriously ill and cannot make that decision for themselves. Thankfully, involuntary admission is for a minority of cases and for a short period of time, but it is absolutely critical that those people have access to intervention in a timely and accessible manner. Thank you Minister. Thank you for raising this really important Mental Health Bill, which as you know is a priority for Government. The restoration of the Bill to the Order paper was one of the first actions undertaken by this Government. I was delighted to reinstate the Bill. I have met with the Attorney General only last week on this in relation. We are just trying to finalise the last amendments, which are quite technical in nature, and some of them I suppose are in relation to another piece of legislation in relation to the Assistant Decision Making Capacity Act. There are just a few technicalities to finally iron out, and I would hope to bring it to committee stage next month. Thank you Minister.