Teresa Costello (Fianna Fail)

Yes, I am not finished. I was acknowledging numbers have decreased but it is still far from ideal and runs contrary to international best practice. While the Bill sets out new safeguards, it does not appear to explicitly prohibit admission to adult wards. My worry is when Deputy Butler is not the Minister of State and another person is her post who may not have that focus whether he or she will be as passionate about keeping those numbers as low as she is? I worry about when the Minister of State is not in the role. Where emergency admission to an adult unit is unavoidable, will strict time limits be in place for such submissions, with a requirement for immediate transfer to an age-appropriate setting?

The Bill is a landmark in the development of our mental health system and demonstrates Fianna Fáil's ongoing commitment to reform. It will place Ireland's mental health legislation on a far stronger, more human rights compliant footing. With greater clarity on the rights of 16- and 17-year-olds, stronger commitments to independent advocacy and complaints mechanisms, we can ensure it delivers the fullest possible protections for those who rely on our mental health services.