Mental Health Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed)
Seanad Éireann — 2026-01-20
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Mary Butler (FF), Waterford

Amendments Nos. 50, 52, 118 and 137 seek to include the phrase "to a material extent" in the criteria for involuntary admission and for treatment in the absence of consent.
I will similarly move amendments Nos. 51, 117, 186 and 284 to ensure any admission or administration of treatment on the grounds of treatment is expected to materially benefit the person's condition, rather than simply being of benefit to the condition. I introduce this amendment following consultation with the Mental Health Commission and acknowledging that the admission and treatment criteria must be at an appropriately high bar. I do not support the Opposition's amendments, solely because these amendments, coupled with the Government's amendments, would be a duplication. I fully support the intent of both Senators' amendments and believe the Government amendments address the same matter. I have no issue with the Senators' amendments but there is a duplication regarding "to materially benefit".

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-01-20/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:31+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-20