Ms Mary O'Regan:

As the Mental Health Commission presented first, I wanted to let the dialogue continue. The high-level task force on mental health is sponsored by the Departments of Justice and Health. We will meet the Mental Health Commission on its recent report and findings. The publication is timely because it dovetails well with the work we are pursuing as part of the task force.

On a related matter, we all acknowledge the very complex needs of individuals with severe mental health difficulties, or even difficulties in the milder range, and their interaction with the criminal justice system. That is to the forefront of the task force. As the task force progresses its work, one area that is being looked at is diversion. Depending on the needs of the individual, diversion is important when dealing with people with mental health difficulties and keeping them out of the prison environment, where possible.