Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

-----over the Christmas period. I am simply reflecting that, as I will not get the chance to participate in that debate. I must attend another meeting on mental health so I ask the Taoiseach to take this issue on board and to intervene.

Deputy Kelleher mentioned other Bills but it comes down to the eligibility for health and personal social services legislation. That key legislative measure has been repeatedly deferred. The Mental Health (Amendment) Bill will only correct drafting errors and create clarity. It will not make any substantive changes in mental health legislation but the eligibility Bill is hugely important. Hopefully, it would ensure that women or men in a comparable situation would never be placed in a lock-up area for several weeks, other than for their personal protection and for their care regime.

See this speech in context