Dr. Michael Drumm:

Briefly, it is a resource issue, but it is an exceptionally important part of the Act that never happened. It is welcomed on both sides of the door of approved centres because I believe it will be seen as a resource and a help, but it involves resourcing. It dramatically changes the way the system works. It means that the officer will be the support person for the person who is struggling with mental health. It stops that person ending up in a Garda station. The person ends up in an appropriate approved centre with a clear plan from the get-go, as opposed to just arriving under blue lights or being detained in a Garda station, which is totally inappropriate. It is really important, but it is a resource issue.