Ms Estela Vidal:

Just to follow up on a point on this as well and to answer the Deputy's question as to whether this is actually going to happen, we want to hope that it will. There are accountability mechanisms from both directions. We work with and provide spaces for people to place their demands, emotions, their suggestions and their recommendations. It is not only us but there are many civil society organisations across Ireland who provide that space and there are great networks there. There is Mental Health Reform and Mental Health Ireland who are doing ongoing work on this. They have been doing consultations all along since this process started.

These spaces are key because we are hoping that when this information channel is up and running and this piece of legislation is passed, these groups are not going to stop. That kind of monitoring work will be ongoing. We cannot forget that which will also come from the top. We cannot stress enough today how important the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD, is and the commitments that come with that ratification. These are setting the basis for a number of the changes that have already been suggested in these amendments. We cannot emphasise enough the human rights approach of mental health services. After that ratification, such an approach is no longer a choice but is a shared responsibility.