Mental Health Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed)
Seanad Éireann — 2026-01-20
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Frances Black (IND), Industrial and Commercial Panel

I move amendment No. 73a:
In page 38, to delete lines 24 and 25 and substitute the following:
“(3) A notice under subsection (2) shall include a statement in writing and in a form and language that may reasonably be understood by him or her, to the effect that the involuntarily admitted person—”.
These amendments relate to the information made available to persons involuntarily admitted to registered acute mental health services. It states that a notice outlining their rights must be made available to people who are involuntarily detained and that this should be in writing. This is really welcome, but some people may not be able to either understand or to read the written statement. Every effort must be made to make them aware of their rights in line with other sections of the Bill that require statements to be included in a form and language that may be reasonably understood by the person involved. It is essential that this information is conveyed in that way. Some people may have a physical disability preventing them from reading and some may not speak English. Others may not read the statement in light of the trauma of being involuntarily detained. It is essential that their rights are clearly explained to them. It is also essential that people are made aware of potential side effects of medications they may be given in order that they can make truly informed decisions about their care in the same way that they would be made aware in relation to matters relating to their physical health.

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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