Mental Health Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed)
Seanad Éireann — 2026-01-29
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Mary Butler (FF), Waterford

I might speak briefly on this amendment, as it is the last opportunity I have to thank everyone who has sat here for close to 19 hours, maybe 19 and a half hours, over six sessions. This landmark legislation will update and modernise our mental health laws. The enactment of this Bill has been a long-standing priority for me and for Government, and I look forward to bringing the Bill to Report Stage shortly.
In particular, I thank Senator Costello for attending each and every session and speaking to many of the amendments. I also thank Senator Black, who has left now, and Senator Boyhan. He put me through my paces on more than one day but it was great to have the debate. I also thank Senators Ryan, Harmon and Cosgrove, who is not here today, as well as all the various Senators and my two colleagues here from Fine Gael. They have been here several times.
I also thank the Cathaoirligh who have been here, especially the Leas-Chathaoirleach, Senator Byrne, who really drove on the Bill. I thank her for all the work she has done. That is all I want to say today. It is a pleasure to be here in the Seanad. Much more discussion went on in the Seanad than in the Dáil. I did ten hours in the Dáil and close to 19 hours here with everyone. Any opportunity I get to discuss mental health is a good day's work.
I will be back on 18 March, the day after St. Patrick's Day, for Report Stage. Hopefully, we will have the Bill enacted before Easter.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-01-29/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:34+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-29