Seanad debates

Wednesday, 23 March 2011

Mental Health (Involuntary Procedures) (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed)

 

5:00 pm

Photo of David NorrisDavid Norris (Independent)

One must listen with the deepest respect to anybody of the eminence of Senator Harris, who can talk so movingly from direct experience of depression. I have never had depression, except in my old drinking days. It rarely lasted more than about 12 hours and I knew it would come to an end. Therefore, I cannot actually speak from experience. However, Senator Harris's experience does not provide a complete and adequate defence. He is a sufficiently chivalrous combatant to know that, and he is a contrarian. When he implies, "If it is good enough for Anthony Clare, it is good enough for me", the argument does not wash with me at all, because I am a grown-up. I do not accept at all the contention that the adults like it. Professor Clare could be right or wrong.

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