Seanad debates
Wednesday, 19 February 2003
Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002: Second Stage.
I do not agree with Senator Henry in so far as I do not think it is a good idea to combine the Mental Health Commission and the tribunal as they have two quite distinct functions. One makes specific decisions and the other ensures there is quality control. We should be reluctant, except in an emergency and as a temporary expedient, to designate part of a prison as a treatment centre. Our objective should be to remove these matters from the prison environment. I notice that the Bill allows temporary movements to be made without having to return to the tribunal. That is sensible. The tribunal will be reviewing cases on a rolling basis. I presume that it will pick up on all cases. We should avoid the possibility that somebody could move around the system ahead of the posse.
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