Dr. Charles O'Mahony:

That is no problem. I am happy to speak to points relating to the lack of provision for people who experience mental ill health within the criminal justice system when members come in with questions.

We need a revolution in terms of mental health law and policy in Ireland to comply with our obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Bill produced by the Department of Health does not represent the required revolution. It is modest and unambitious. The review of the 2001 Act has been a long process marked by delay and deferral and culminating ultimately in a Bill that disappoints in failing to address many of the key human rights issues.

I will speak to a number of other points. My colleague, Dr. Morrissey, and I produced a human rights analysis report on mental health reform. It makes a number of recommendations that would strengthen human rights protections within the Bill.