Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We have legislation for the area, although it is not appropriate for the circumstances. Nonetheless, we have legislation. The Deputy is the Opposition spokesperson on mental health issues and he should be a little more measured in what he is saying. This is the Mental Health Commission's response and not mine; it is an independent body which takes these issues very seriously. The commission has now confirmed that, based on provisional 2014 figures, 42 patients were administered ECT without consent, with only five recorded as being unwilling. Whether the Deputy and I agree with that is entirely a different matter. The total number of patients administered ECT without consent has risen from 22 to 42 in the period 2011 to 2014, and hence there is reference to a surge in numbers. Those recorded as being unwilling in that period only rose from three to five.

The Deputy makes regular statements on mental health issues which are inappropriate. He is a spokesperson and this is a very serious issue. For example-----

See this speech in context