Seanad debates

Wednesday, 23 March 2011

Mental Health (Involuntary Procedures) (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed)

 

6:00 pm

Photo of Dan BoyleDan Boyle (Green Party)

I thank all the Members for their detailed contributions. This is not a Bill about prohibiting ECT, which will continue in existence regardless of what the House decides today. In making any decision this House will be keeping a particular aspect of the debate alive as it relates to the involuntary use of the treatment for people who have not given informed consent. That will only mark the halfway stage in a constitutional process that needs to be visited in the other House. We are asking the House for a statement of concern on the need to address the issue. The Minister of State has given her response. In my original contribution, I forgot to welcome her as I had already done so in a personal sense. We have soldiered long and hard together over the past 20 years. I know the disagreement we may be having — narrow as it is — is based on her now being in government and me not.

Even though the Minister of State is only a week in office, her response is a standard Government response — the Government always seeks the right to move legislation.

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