Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)

I welcome all of the members and witnesses who are here with us today to discuss the Mental Health Bill. By way of background, people will know that the Mental Health Bill is on Second Stage in the Dáil and is due to come before the Dáil again for Committee Stage. Since the Bill was last considered, we have a new Oireachtas health committee and new spokespeople, so we wanted to hold this session to debate some of the issues that have been raised by some of the key stakeholders since Second Stage of the Bill took place and before the Bill is considered later this evening on Committee Stage in the Dáil.

As we all know, this is a long overdue Bill and a very important and significant piece of legislation to update the outdated legal framework under which our mental health services have been operating.

It is important legislation in terms of updating that legal framework and providing a human rights-based framework and person-centred approach to mental health services. I hope today’s briefing will be useful for members in advance of the Committee Stage deliberations that are due to start this evening.

I welcome our witnesses. From An Garda Síochána we have Ms Paula Hilman, assistant commissioner for roads policing and community engagement, and Mr. Derek Smart, chief superintendent in the Limerick division. From the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, we have Professor Matthew Sadlier, vice president and chair of the IMO consulting committee, Professor Brendan Kelly, consultant psychiatrist, and Ms Vanessa Hetherington, assistant director of policy and international affairs. From the Mental Health Commission we have Ms Orla Keane, general counsel, and Mr. Gary Kiernan, director of regulation. From Mental Health Reform we have Mr. Philip Watt, interim CEO, and Mr. Stephen Sheil, interim communications and engagement manager.

I will read a note on privilege before we start. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against a person or entity by name or in such way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that would be regarded as damaging to the good name of a person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with such a direction.

Members are reminded of the long-standing practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I think all our members are attending in person.

To commence our considerations, I invite Ms Hilman, assistant commissioner from An Garda Síochána, to make her opening statement.