Dáil debates

Friday, 14 July 2017

Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages

 

10:00 am

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, on his appointment. This is the first opportunity I have had in the House to do that. I thank the Taoiseach and the Minister for facilitating the Bill which is being debated this morning. Last year, I was honoured to be appointed Fianna Fáil spokesperson on mental health. When I was appointed, Deputy Micheál Martin asked me to try to ensure real and credible change was brought about in mental health and to co-operate across the floor in trying to do so. Yesterday, we saw the first step in that with the creation of the first Oireachtas committee on mental health. Hopefully, today marks the second step.

Ireland continues to face significant challenges in the provision of mental health services and it has been known for many years that major reform is needed. Too many of the recommendations in the A Vision for Change policy remain to be implemented. The Fianna Fáil Mental Health (Amendment) Bill before Members contains significant changes to ensure people's civil rights when they receive mental health care. This Bill is fully supported by Mental Health Reform, an umbrella group which represents over 50 mental health groups. I thank in particular Dr. Shari McDaid and Ms Kate Mitchell from Mental Health Reform for their relentless and daily pursuit of the cause of mental health reform. This Bill also contributes to the fulfilment of the Government's international human rights obligations. Fianna Fáil's mental health Bill aims to reform Ireland's mental health services by insisting on the implementation of a number of the recommendations contained in the 2015 expert review of the Mental Health Act. Regrettably, only one of those 165 recommendations has been implemented to date. Demands for mental health services increased over the past six years and we must do more to protect the well-being of patients and to ensure the State meets its obligations under international human rights law.

I am hopeful that this Bill will act as a catalyst and I urge all parties and Deputies to support this legislation in order that urgently-needed reforms are implemented without further delay. Ultimately this mental health Bill is about dignity and respect for patients and it gives them a voice in their mental health treatment. I am glad to accept the Government's amendment to the Bill, which is a clarifying amendment. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, and the Government and the other parties in the House that have supported the Bill to date. It is positive to see people from across the political spectrum come together to support the call for better mental health. The spirit of co-operation in advancing this issue of mental health was here before I came into the Dáil and I am glad that everyone has continued in that spirit today. I hope this spirit of co-operation will continue.

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