Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Tuesday, 8 March 2022
Joint Committee On Health
General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed)
Ms Fiona Anderson:
The current legislation is such that it provides a three-month window of opportunity to coerce treatment. This is deliberate as it is considered a sufficient time span for recovery and the person is more likely to co-operate and comply with treatment. After the three months have expired, explicit consent must be obtained to continue with the medical treatment. Should a person make the decision to cease medical treatment, irrespective of how unwise that decision may appear, it must be respected and adhered to.