Mental Health Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages
Seanad Éireann — 2026-04-16
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Mary Butler (FF), Waterford

Quite a lot of issues have been discussed so I will I try to address them as best I can. To be clear, I am introducing a number of amendments related to information on advocacy supports. These amendments will ensure that any person admitted under the new Act will be given information on any available advocacy supports. This will apply to both children and adults, ensuring that information on advocacy supports will be available regardless of a person's age. With regard to advocacy in the legislation, sections 185 and 186 of the Bill, as initiated, include a statutory right to appoint a nominated person on their behalf. This is a massive Bill; it has 220 sections. I have lived if for the past four years. I do not expect everyone to know what is in the Bill but this is a massive change and it has to be acknowledged. In this Bill, there is a statutory right to appoint a nominated person on behalf of the person who is involuntarily or voluntarily detained. It has to be acknowledged; it has not been acknowledged here today. Sections 25, 42, 74 and 75 allow the nominated person to be provided with information on the person's treatment under the new Bill or on the application of a restrictive practice. That was not acknowledged either. Access to a nominated person during a mental health review board under section 27, during discharge under sections 41 and 70 and care planning under sections 179 and 180 or when making decisions about treatment under sections 44 and 79 are also provided for. That was not acknowledged here today. Senator Boyhan spoke about Kerry CAMHS. Last Thursday morning, I will him where I was. I was down in Tralee meeting the parents of children impacted by Kerry CAMHS. That is what I did during the Easter recess. I met several families and went down to listen to them. I have been the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health for six years, a job I love doing. I cannot expect everyone in this Chamber to know the work I have done with various NGOs, the HSE and different Departments over that time. I am not sure how many here know about the youth advocacy programme, YAP.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-04-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:49+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-16