Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for attending. It is much appreciated. I also congratulate and thank them for the work they do on behalf of society.

I return to the point Deputy Ward raised about funding. It is a regular occurrence that legislation passed by these Houses in good faith and for good reason, namely, to improve people's lives, does not get acted on to the level we would expect. Has the Department done costings and agreed budgets?

On the timeline for passing this legislation, is there a particular time by which we can expect inspections to take place and the various sections of the Bill to be implemented? Will some elements be implemented and others not implemented? Is there a commitment or a timeline set out for the implementation of the legislation and a budgetary framework to ensure that when it is enacted, the Mental Health Commission will exercise these powers and be given real teeth?