Mental Health Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages
Seanad Éireann — 2026-04-16
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Victor Boyhan (IND), Agricultural Panel

It is quite frustrating. They are working under enormous pressure. They are working under enormous time constraints. It is very hard to recruit staff. Recently, I was told by someone in a recruitment agency that when they mention Tusla, no one nearly wants to apply. They ask what they are doing here with that shower. That is not correct and I want to correct that narrative.
Tusla does amazing work on very complex issues, conflicting interests and families that are broken for various reasons through no fault of their own so they have different priorities for their families, their children and the struggles of children who fall into a family that is divided or does not have the resources, skill sets or finances to support themselves. I understand that. I acknowledge that and I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the enormous work, from the board all the way down to everyone within the service. On the whole, the majority of them do a really good job and it is important that we say that here.
I mention the relevant authorities and how the report shall include evidence-based recommendations because the Minister of State has made the point that we have to, I will not say follow the science, but we are emotionally connected with past experiences and we see the world from where we stand and our experiences within it. Let us be honest. Our experiences impact and affect us and our way of thinking and experiencing but also sharing, propagating and advancing policy. That is what brings that authenticity to the contributions of Members in this particular House.
It is important. I call for evidence-based recommendations aimed at strengthening the rights-based approach because that hits at the kernel of the matter. When I talked to all of the advocates and families involved, the Irish Human Rights Equality Commission, IHREC, and all of the other organisations, they all said it has to be about human rights. It has to be about rights-based, person-centred approaches of care and enhancing supported decision-making in line with national and international human rights. That is why I mentioned the conventions earlier. I cannot anticipate what the Minister of State will say but I do not see any conflict with what she has said and is on the record as saying here with what I am proposing. Looking at the contributions of Members in the Dáil from her own party who spoke on the issues here, this is common sense and hopefully, he will agree with what is a very reasonable, fair and pragmatic amendment to this Bill.

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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