Mental Health Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed)
Seanad Éireann — 2025-12-17
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Mark Daly (CC), Administrative Panel

In regard to amendment No. 39, the ruling is under Seanad Standing Order 42. The Standing Order of the Seanad is in relation to Bills and amendments that involve charges. I will read into the record Standing Order 42. It states:
An amendment to a Bill, which could have the effect of imposing or increasing a charge upon the people or upon the revenue, may not be moved save by way of Government amendment.
Amendment No. 39 deleted the clause "in so far as is practicable" from section 10(1)(d), which provides that a guiding principle in respect of children shall be that, "in so far as is practicable, that care and treatment shall be provided in an age-appropriate environment, and in close proximity to the child’s home or family". Deleting "in so far as is practicable" has the effect of removing any flexibility in the provision of such services and may require the State to provide increased availability of age-appropriate centres throughout the country. The amendment therefore was ruled out of order.
That has nothing to do with the merits of any amendment put forward by any Senator. That is in relation to the ruling of the House. It is regarding the Standing Orders of the House, which were agreed by all Members, on the issue around having an amendment that has a charge or potential charge on the Revenue. It is nothing to do with the amendment itself; it is in relation to Standing Order 42 and the potential charge.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2025-12-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:28+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-12-17