Déirdre de Búrca (Green Party)

I will wrap up. I also mentioned concern about some of the statements in a recent article published in an Irish psychiatric journal, which supported the appropriateness of the use of electroconvulsive therapy on people with Down's syndrome, intellectual impairments and so on. This issue must be considered.

The Minister of State appeared to accept the proposal pertaining to an advance directive. This would allow those who suffer from mental health difficulties to indicate in advance, during a period when they are well, whether they would be willing to accept the future use of electroconvulsive therapy. This may in part be the way forward in respect of the issues raised today. Certainly, as far as psychosurgery is concerned, most Members recognise it has not been used in the State for approximately 20 years. I do not believe anyone would suggest it is a necessary or appropriate intervention and prohibiting its use appears to the Green Party and to me to be the only acceptable way forward.

In conclusion, I thank the Cathaoirleach for the time that was made available today. I thank the Minister of State for his attention and other Members for their input. The Green Party is willing to adjourn this Second Stage debate and perhaps to resume it later, on the understanding that all the steps discussed today will be implemented.