Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support my colleague in her assertion that this will be the only mental health Bill that will go through the Houses in the lifetime of this Government. On average, only 45 to 50 Bills pass through these Houses each year. There is an opportunity to make sure the judgment of the court is reflected in law such that we will not have others going to the courts in individual cases. The reason we make laws here is to prevent confusion over rights and to ensure that those rights are upheld without people having to go to court. The Government has guidance on what it should and should not do but it is important that we provide clarity in legislation on the rights of individuals. There is an opportunity to do that now. If there were an amendment from the Government providing certainty on the court ruling, we would all be discussing it. However, there is not. There is an amendment before us and that is the one we will have to debate and pass.