Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Maher for his answer. The following simplistic scenario seems to have been prevalent with people with whom I have dealt directly over the years on this issue. An individual presents himself or herself at the accident and emergency department in a highly intoxicated state and threatens to take his or her life. The health care staff cannot touch the person because he or she is drunk and so the person is advised to go home. Can a system be put in place in the health service where a person is accountable and takes responsibility in cases where a person presents himself or herself at an accident and emergency department or wherever? We need a person to take responsibility for the person presenting and to address the system on both sides. First, the addiction in the form of either drugs or drink must be addressed. Second, when the person is back on a level playing field an effort should be made to discover the underlying mental health issue.