Dáil debates

Tuesday, 12 October 2010

Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage

 

It is our intention to take on board amendments. The point was made that the 2006 Act is defective. An Act which provides for the release of people from the Central Mental Hospital, that the review board will have no control in terms of their whereabouts or the activities in which they engage and in respect of which we cannot insert restrictions or safeguards is, I concede, defective. This is the reason for the urgency of the legislation before us. I agree with Deputy Mitchell that it is unusual for an Act, such as the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act, 2006, to be amended so soon after enactment. This legislation is being introduced to allow us address the many issues surrounding the Central Mental Hospital, the pressures on it in terms of beds and the need to allow people to live in the community but, under supervision and restriction. I do not intend addressing all the technical issues raised.

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