Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I accept that this amendment is essentially technical and allows for the coming into effect of sections 60 to 64, inclusive, but I must raise my concerns about the implementation of section 62. This section was introduced as a Government amendment on Committee Stage and we objected at the time on the grounds that it was a substantial measure that in this Deputy's view and that of others required separate legislation.

The Minister of State will agree that the involuntary admission of patients with mental illness is a very delicate and sensitive issue. The effect of the section is to authorise the personnel of a private company to carry out this function and I am not happy with the fact that a private firm is being used for what is quite clearly a public health function. The Minister of State indicated in the Seanad yesterday that this is an interim arrangement, if I am informed correctly. He also stated that all the staff of the firm involved are trained psychiatric nurses.

That is certainly a reassurance but before we agree to this amendment I ask the Minister of State to indicate what further legislation is expected in this regard. When will it be forthcoming? Will the Minister indicate this to the House with the clarity that this Deputy requires to build on the reassurance I have already referred to with regard to the confirmation of the staff involved in the cited firm? Will the Minister give an assurance that the staff not only today but also tomorrow and into the future will have that basic required standard of trained psychiatric nurse?

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