Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The mental health (amendment) Bill will be published later this year.

With regard to the health information Bill, a wide ranging public consultation exercise, using a detailed discussion document prepared in the Department, was initiated in June 2008. Many submissions were received, including several as late as October of that year. The authors were then invited to participate in a major feature on the Bill at the annual health care society conference on 19 November last. A structured and facilitated focus group took place on 20 January this year in Dublin. This was a useful event and the Department will summarise the points raised at the focus group on its website shortly. That level of consultation is essential, given the complex and sensitive nature of the Bill. The Department is working towards finalising the heads of the legislation, which are expected in April.

See this speech in context