Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome that the Minister will seek a resolution in the Seanad and I will watch that intently. I am happy the Minister did not use the language he used on Committee Stage in saying people detained under the Mental Health Act 2001 could be a risk to themselves and others. That language caused upset and it was a generalisation that stigmatised people detained under the Mental Health Act. Today's stance continues to discriminate against those whose rights are incredibly restricted due to detention under the Mental Health Act.

There is a significant body of research on the failures of predicting risk of harm posed by psychiatric patients. We also know people with experience of mental health services, including those detained under the Mental Health Act, are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators of such violence. People contacted me to say people would already be detained in an approved setting so the potential to cause harm to anyone in such an environment is incredibly low. I bring that language used during Committee Stage to the Minister's attention because I was asked to do so. It caused people particular upset and concern.

Amendment No. 35 would still single out pregnancy as a specific medical event different from all others, which is not warranted. Why is it in there? I know it is not part of these amendments but I asked about the processing of the Bill. When will it go to the Seanad? Will it be in the autumn or the next couple of weeks?

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