Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Before I address Deputy Ward's amendment, I refer to an amendment I may bring forward on Report Stage. We may look at clarifying the interaction between the provision for enduring powers of attorney made under the 1996 Act and their exact status under the 2015 Act. If a change is needed in that regard, we may bring forward an amendment.

Amendment No. 25 proposes to reduce the period in which the Mental Health Commission must forward the director's annual report to the Minister in my Department and the Minister for Health from three months to 28 days, which was the period specified in the 2015 Act. The change to three months will ensure the commission's reporting arrangements align with its overall obligations and reporting requirements to its parent Department, which is the Department of Health. The commission will now also be required to provide a copy of the annual report to my Department. We are trying to align the two reporting requirements. I am not inclined to accept the amendment at this stage.