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

That gives us the benefit of the cross-departmental approach that we are looking to take in many areas of mental health. The issue of people in different Departments working in silos was referred to and the pilot crisis de-escalation team that is due to start in Limerick in the new year. It is really important the Department of Health is involved as well as the Department of Justice in that, and any other Department instead of just the Department of Justice working in a silo, which could happen.

The last question I have, which was mentioned already but I want to tease it out further, is on the admission of the provision of an independent complaints mechanism. Usually when witnesses come before this subcommittee, most go in the same direction and have the same opinion.

The Mental Health Commission appeared before us two weeks ago and spoke against the need for one. The witnesses before us today spoke about the need for an independent complaints mechanism. As a person with an element of distrust in some statutory bodies, I believe there is a need for an independent complaints mechanism to be involved in the process. What might the benefits of having an independent complaints mechanism in this legislation be? I am not asking witnesses to speak on behalf of the Mental Health Commission. Could they give an insight into the difference between both approaches?