Seanad debates

Wednesday, 16 April 2003

Central Mental Hospital: Motion.

 

The plans for this new hospital have been in existence for approximately ten years. It was intended to build it in the grounds of the existing campus at Dundrum. The original cost was estimated at £34 million, but I suppose it would cost much more now. The sale of the Lad Lane property would subscribe at least a third of the price. We introduced in a Mental Health Act last year, but we cannot possibly enforce it because we do not have the necessary resources or facilities. There is a Criminal Insanity Amendment Bill before the House. I pointed out that it was quite impossible to bring this in because the resources are not available to allow us to transport people from the courts to secure hospital instead of to prisons. The Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform stated that he wants to close down the padded cells in prisons, but where is he going to put the people who inhabit them? I have never seen such fanciful planning in my life in respect of legislation, but it seems to be somewhat prevalent in the Oireachtas.

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