Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas as ucht an deis labhairt ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo. I congratulate Deputy James Browne on what he described as the first product of the new politics. The Fianna Fáil Party has brought through a Private Members' Bill from end to end. That is an historic achievement.

We are dealing with an important subject in mental health. I acknowledge the constructive and proactive approach Deputy Browne has brought to the Bill. He has been most sincere in his undertaking. As he rightly said - he has done it more eloquently than I can - this is for the service users and the betterment of the mental health service in this country. It is vital that we recognise that legislation does play a role in the betterment of their conditions and treatment but there are many other aspects to how we can help them but legislation is a powerful and important tool. I commend Deputy Browne and thank him.

I also thank Deputy Pat Buckley and the Sinn Féin Party for withdrawing the amendment. I agree with and fully support the sentiment behind the amendment. I will sit down with Deputy Buckley, Deputy Browne and other interested spokespersons to look at how we will progress our response to the judgment we have to deal with.

In no way was it the sentiment of the amendment that was problematic. It was 100% genuine on the part of Sinn Féin and I want to acknowledge that. I also want to acknowledge the party's generosity in withdrawing it because it would not have been in keeping with the spirit of this Bill. One of the privileges of being Minister of State with responsibility for mental health is that I get more co-operation from colleagues than any other Minister or Minister of State and experience very little division. That is not to say that I am not to be held to account for my actions or lack thereof, as Deputies may see it. There is a huge spirit of co-operation in the area of mental health and it is real privilege to act as Minister of State for that area. This Bill is another example of that spirit of co-operation and I am delighted that it is being passed without any division in the House. We owe that to the people who will benefit from it. The generosity of the Sinn Féin Party is not to be underestimated and is much appreciated.

I wish to acknowledge the role of the Mental Health Reform coalition and thank it for the contribution it has made and continues to make to ensuring that the legislative programme is kept moving along. I also wish to acknowledge the role of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health. I thank my officials for the many hours of work they put into assisting us to get to this point today. I am both delighted and proud to have brought this Bill through the Houses. I congratulate Deputy James Browne and thank everyone for their co-operation.

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