Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 245: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the mental health tribunals during the past ten months; the number of persons available to be appointed to each of the three panels for the review tribunals in the different regions of the country in which they will sit; when the legislation to implement the tribunals will be enacted or commenced; when they will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22534/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Mental Health Commission that it advertised for membership of panels for mental health tribunals, tribunal clerks and independent examining consultants in September 2004. Interviews for the tribunal chairperson and lay person member panels were held in November 2004. The Mental Health Commission is currently finalising this competition. The commission has recently readvertised the panels for the tribunal clerks, and interviews will be held in the near future.

Interviews for the panels of consultant psychiatrists were held in May and June of this year and these are currently being processed. The Irish Hospital Consultants' Association has advised its members not to apply for membership of the panels and this has led to an insufficient number of applications. The relevant sections of the Mental Health Act 2001, which provide for the operation of mental health tribunals will be commenced as soon as practicable.