Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am thankful for the opportunity to speak again. I do not believe it does any justice to a Bill on mental health to have a division on an issue as important as this. I appeal to the House in this regard. There has been a ruling by the court and a period of six months has not been given for a reason. It stands suspended. This is not the only opportunity we will have. The Oireachtas deals with legislation every day. I have a responsibility, not an option, to deal with this matter within six months. It is an order of the court. These Houses, not only me, must adhere to it. There are a number of complex issues, however, and these have been addressed in the judgments. Anybody who read the judgment of the Court of Appeal or the previous judgments would recognise the matter is not so simplistic that we can do justice to it today. All I ask is that we, as an Oireachtas, be responsible and allow the time needed. It is not about the here and now. We can amend legislation at any stage and put forward proposals. In the spirit of co-operation and to do justice to Deputy Browne's Bill, I ask for unanimous support and that we work collectively without division. I appeal again to the House to allow me, my officials, the Department and Members to engage constructively. I can give more detail on the complexities arising over this issue. We will have to come back to this. All I can assure the House is that this measure will not address the issue. We will still have to come back to it because there are a number of other issues to be considered. We would be better off doing what is proposed in one go. Ultimately, it is a matter for the Houses.