Mental Health Bill 2024: From the Seanad
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-29
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Marie Sherlock (LAB), Dublin Central

I commend the Minister of State on all the work she has done and effort she has put into this. I know it has been a very extensive process over a significant period. She set out the timeline for the two most recent mental health Acts we have had in this country.
Obviously, the words in this Bill are only as good as the level of willingness among the members of the medical profession - I know there is huge willingness to embrace what is being set down here - and as good as the oversight regime relating to the Mental Health Commission. I join Deputy Clarke in calling for the review to happen in a shorter timeframe, because we all want this to work. Ultimately, the point is that any Act is only as good as how well it is resourced and the willingness to implement its provisions.
I commend the Minister of State on all the work she has done. Some of the changes encompassed by the provisions in the Bill will be ground-breaking. Our collective hope is that we will have a much healthier and transparent mental health system for those who suffer mental ill-health.
I will conclude on the point that the legislation will only succeed if the resources are provided and there is proper oversight. When issues are flagged by the Mental Health Commission - we know that there have been delays in terms of responses in the past on foot of resourcing or other issues - we must ensure that they are responded to accordingly. I commend the Minister of State on all her work.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-29/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-21T01:01:08+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-29