Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for pointing that out, as I did not realise. As the Leader would say, one is learning something all of the time. I am glad to hear Senator Twomey's point. At the time, I read that the woman needed to be taken in that manner to ensure the safety of the patient and the wider public. The situation is always improving, in that mental health carers, be they nurses or doctors, are highly trained and no one else could do that type of work. I welcome the amending legislation is this regard, given the issues of patient and public safety.

There is no doubt we are gone from the days of long ago when people who acted in a way that was other than the norm as it was then known were put in mental institutions because there was nowhere else to put them. Who decided the norm? In some cases, they were incarcerated. I have finished reading a good book, The Secret Scripture. Given that other people are smiling, other Members have read it as well. It tells the story of a woman who, as with those to whom I have just referred, grew up normally, got married and had stuff go wrong. It is a true story and I recommend it to everyone. It is a great read, but frightening. When I finished it, I said, "Thank God", because I knew what occurred to her could never occur in the Ireland of today.

I thank the Minister of State for outlining every section and provision of the Bill in a clear and coherent way. I look forward to the Bill's remaining Stages in the House next week.