Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Give me a moment. A general election date has not been declared but watching the Taoiseach this morning I see the battle has begun already.

Yesterday an official of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform attended a briefing in Leinster House and advised of the likelihood of the mental capacity Bill being published in April. Given that the heads of that Bill are already agreed by Cabinet and that the Bill has been drafted will the Taoiseach instruct that the heads of that Bill be published immediately in order to give the other parties and health spokespersons a heads-up as to what is coming down the tracks in regard to this very important Bill? It is critical with regard to the health rights of people, in particular mental health.

In 2008 it was published as the "scheme" of a mental capacity Bill. I presume the "scheme" relates in some way to what I am seeking, namely, the heads of a Bill. Is what was published in 2008 still relevant? Has the so-called scheme changed with regard to the heads of the Bill to be published in April? I ask the Taoiseach to provide clarity and to confirm his willingness to ensure that the heads of the Bill, now agreed by Cabinet, will be published forthwith.

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