Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages
Dail Éireann — 2020-03-26
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Simon Harris (FG), Wicklow

Deputy O'Reilly is entirely correct. As part of this amending legislation, we will be producing information booklets and the like for patients, particularly those in mental health services. It is important we protect their rights in this regard. I am happy to provide further briefings and meetings with the commission on this matter. It is now preparing protocols and guidance on the issue of remote consultations. It has already been implicitly provided for in the Mental Health Act. The Attorney General's advice is not to state it explicitly in this Act. It is possible, however. It is illegal. Protocols are being drawn up to make sure that people understand that.
I give the Deputy my commitment to make that clear in the work we do with the Mental Health Commission and to engage with her further on this.

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Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:48:14+00:00
Sitting date: 2020-03-26