Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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I might have three more questions but I will ask two for now. There has been a lot of talk around the assisted decision-making (capacity) (amendment) Bill and the Bill before us. In June, I introduced a Bill providing for the capacity to consent for 16- and 17-year-olds because I could see the gap in legislation on that. The amendment Bill is set to provide 16- and 17-year-olds with the ability to give or withdraw their consent to their mental health treatment. As it stands, the Bill about which we are speaking does not provide decision supports for under-18-year-olds.

Engagement with counterparts on the Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth was referred to. I am probably the only member of this subcommittee who is on both committees. I have brought this to the attention of the secretariat and the Chair of the committee and it should be before the committee soon. I am not sure of the date. I take it that the witnesses will be feeding into that committee, with a bit of luck. If not, I will try to get them invited in. If this Bill is not amended, what impact will that have on the assisted decision-making (capacity) (amendment) Bill coming down the line?