Mental Health Act reform
Deputy Buckley asks for a date for the report on draft mental health reform legislation. The Minister says there is no definitive date yet because the heads of the Bill are still with the Mental Health Commission for comments.
The Leas-Cheann Comhairle is holding me up. My question concerns the programme for Government and is addressed to the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, Deputy Daly. The draft legislation on the reform of Mental Health Act was put before the Mental Health Commission. Have we a definitive date for the publication of that report or, if it is already done, can we see it?
Comment on this
We do not have a definitive date but the heads of the Bill have been sent to the Mental Health Commission for its comments. The commission is working through that at the moment. There was talk that it could take up to six months to get a response in full from the commission but I cannot guarantee that. The Department has done its work and sent it over to the Mental Health Commission. It is up to the commission to come back to us on that matter.
Comment on this
The Leas-Cheann Comhairle has done well.