Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for taking this issue so seriously. I also thank Senators de Búrca and Boyle for bringing this important legislation before the House. I appreciate the effort and work they have put into the Bill which aims to prohibit the involuntary administration of ECT. I have read a fair amount about ECT but find it confusing that some psychiatrists think it is the be all and end all, while others see it as a last resort. It is a barbaric process, but I am not a medic or psychiatrist. I find it hard to understand the reason people must be strapped down and medicated to such a degree that they convulse, their blood pressure rises and heart rate is disturbed. This therapy should be a last chance saloon. I am very disturbed at the idea that people will lose their memory and about what this would mean to them and how vulnerable and fearful they must be at such a time. I am disturbed, too, by the idea that people's spirits will be broken and they will no longer be the persons they were before they suffered from severe depression. The issue must be given serious attention. Therefore, I congratulate the Minister of State on taking the time to confer with all of the interest groups involved. I look forward to contributing to the debate when the Bill is returned to the House.