Could the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Butler, indicate when the Mental Health Bill 2024 will proceed to Committee Stage for examination? It is critical that we get the legislation right. While strong safeguards are essential, we must also ensure timely and appropriate access to treatment for people who are seriously ill and cannot make that decision for themselves. Thankfully, involuntary admission is in a minority of cases and for a short period, but it is critical that those people have access to intervention in a timely and accessible manner.

I thank the Deputy for raising this really important mental health Bill, which, as he knows, is a priority of the Government. The restoration of the Bill to the Order Paper was one of the first actions undertaken by this Government. I was delighted to reinstate it. I met the Attorney General only last week on this. We are just trying to finalise the last of the amendments, which are quite technical in nature and some of which relate to other legislation, namely the Assisted Decision-making (Capacity) Act. There are just a few technicalities to iron out. I hope to bring the legislation to Committee Stage next month.