Phil Prendergast (Labour)

I welcome the Minister of State. I have witnessed ECT and seen its positive effects. I can only judge it as positive from what I have known beforehand. I will not be descriptive of cases where it may not have been positive as I do not have the experience to discuss it in fine detail. I admire the way the Minister of State is going about his brief and visiting all units around the country. Psychiatry is constantly evolving and there are new treatments and management styles, some of which conflict with management practices within regular psychiatry services and, perhaps, new models of training, evaluation and how we assess progress or the lack of it. My colleagues have stated there are many differing opinions on the use of ECT and whether its use is positive or negative.

I agree completely with the process by which the Minister of State intends to bring the Mental Health (Involuntary Procedures) (Amendment) Bill to the Seanad. I am willing to co-operate with that process and facilitate the widest possible communication and deliberations with all parties in order that we will have the most comprehensive information available to inform the debate and how best we can progress what is best for those who will be affected by the decisions we make. Therefore, with other Senators, I am happy to agree to the adjournment of the debate on Committee Stage.