Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Mental Health Commission for the opening statement. I congratulate the commission on the launch yesterday of its report on access to mental health services for people in the criminal justice system, which I attended. It is a really eye-opening report. I commend the commission on that as well. I tabled a Topical Issue matter on it for debate this evening, but it has not been selected. I will resubmit it again in the hope that it will be selected tomorrow.

My first question arises out of the report launched yesterday. Head 13, section 12 deals with the powers of An Garda Síochána to take into custody a person believed to fulfil criteria for involuntary detention and provides that the commission may, in consultation with An Garda Síochána and any other relevant body, prepare a code of practice on the functions of An Garda Síochána under this Act. It provides that the commission "may" prepare a code of practice in regard to the powers of An Garda Síochána under this Act in consultation with relevant bodies following on from a recommendation of the March 2021 public consultation. The recommendation further states that all members of An Garda Síochána should be adequately trained in regard to both their powers under the Act and how best to handle a situation involving persons expressing mental distress. Should the word "may" be substituted with the word "shall" to ensure that the training and trauma informed care form part of this Act?