I know that. I have read the amendment, and I understand where the Senators are coming from, but in fairness they have to look at the reality in 2026 and not the reality in 2008 when we had 247 children. I do not believe we need to pre-empt a Minister of State following in my footsteps, whoever it will be and whenever that happens. This is policy embedded in the Department of Health and the HSE. This is policy that is embedded in any approved centre in Ireland, whether public, private or voluntary. This is policy t…

I am okay.

I understand that existing practice provides that if an individual who develops high-level mental health difficulties is believed to meet the criteria for involuntary admission to an approved centre or registered acute mental health centre, as they are in the new Bill, they will be transferred from prison to appropriate care setting for treatment. The Department, the HSE and I are committed to ensuring that every person receives the right care in the right place at the right time. Our policy, Sharing the Vision, in…

That will bring it to 45 suicide crisis assessment nurses, SCAN, in total in 2026. They work in the community closely with GPs. I announced six more teams. They work in pairs. One team follows on from the CAMHS team in Portiuncula Hospital to support young Travellers. There is a huge amount of presentations there. The other CAMHS team will be in Cherry Orchard in Dublin in Linn Dara. It is a new initiative to have SCANs specifically for CAMHS. I compliment them up in Donegal which I visited last summer where they d…

I thank the Senator. I have legislated for a review of this legislation. He knows that. It will be within five years of commencement, which will of course include a review of the provisions that relate to consent to admission and treatment and the autonomy of individuals generically. I do not see a need to legislate for a separate, stand-alone report. The Mental Health Commission will have oversight of this. I cannot really dictate to it as to how it will examine this but I am 100% with the Senator about people wit…

It did not publish this-----

I do not believe a stand-alone report is necessary when we are going to have a report. There is just one thing I want to tease out with the Senator, which will not take long. The Senator said that the Mental Health Commission has limited resources, but I am not sure that is the case. Any application for resources that has come to me from the Mental Health Commission in the last five years has been facilitated.

The Senator needs convincing. I am shocked.

I actually cannot believe what the Senator has stood up and just said. I actually think it is appalling. I ask the Senator to please give me a chance to respond now because he has put out a lot of commentary there that is hanging in the air. I think it is completely inappropriate and it is factually incorrect. That is the first thing. Even though the Senator has spent a lot of time here and a lot of time on the Bill what he did not say was that this Bill will ensure that ECT, electroconvulsive treatment, is only gi…

Briefly. These amendments relate to the involuntary admission of a child in section 67 of the Bill. These amendments do not change the policy behind the section. Instead, these amendments have been drafted following commentary from the Attorney General's office that additional wording in section 67 is necessary. Amendment No. 129 allows for consideration to be given to whether involuntary admission is required and whether voluntary admission is possible or if such admission will be in the best interests of the chil…

I will speak briefly. I am introducing an amendment to replace sections 74 and 75 with a new section 74. This amendment is being introduced to address operational concerns raised about some key stakeholders. The new section 74 recognises the distinct important roles of the Garda, the HSE and Tusla. Depending on the circumstances of the child, one of these three bodies will be responsible for taking charge of the child and the new section 74 recognises the different functions of each. It is an extremely rare event w…

These amendments primarily relate to the provision of information to a child or their parents or guardian or Tusla. These amendments arise from the earlier discussed amendments on consulted carers. Amendments Nos. 170 and 173 replace subsection (3) in both sections. The purpose of the amendment is that the information to be given to the child and their parents, guardians or Tusla remains the same. The only addition is that each child admitted will be given information about any relevant advocacy services. This was …

I thank the Senator. I have had calls too, from people very high up who deliver psychiatric care, since I left the Chamber. They were absolutely appalled at the language the Senator used as it was so triggering. I put that on the record of the Seanad. As previously stated, the commission is independent in its function. I do not believe it is appropriate to dictate that the commission must carry out this report. Second, the commission is not responsible for implementing mental health services. It would be inappropri…

No.

Before we conclude, I thank everyone who supported the Bill. They have supported human rights and a person-centred Bill that will help thousands of people each year on their recovery journey. Their voices will be heard. I am very proud to conclude this Bill here in the Seanad. I thank all Senators for their engagement over the past 24 hours. This is generational legislation and in order that those who voted in favour of the Bill know what they have done, they have voted for the regulation of CAMHS, the regulation o…

I move: That Dáil Éireann, pursuant to Standing Order 33, and with effect from 16th April, 2026, approves the Tenth Report of the Standing Committee of Selection, copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 27th March, 2026.

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Confidence in the Government ( not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes; any division claimed to be taken by roll-call ) - Financial Motions by the Minister for Finance [2026] (Financial Resolution Nos. 1, 2 and 3) ( three separate motions to be debated together and brought to a conclusion within 60 mins, with separate questions put on each motion and any divisions claimed to be taken immediately ) - Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026 (Second Stage) ( to conclude at the e…

When the Dáil schedule was circulated last September nobody in the House objected to it. This is the first point.

It is normal practice for the Government to put forward a motion of confidence when a motion of no confidence is tabled by the Opposition. It is important that this happens at the earliest opportunity. It supersedes all other business so that the Dáil has the opportunity to express its confidence in the Government and get on with the important business.

This will then be followed by the financial resolutions to underpin the significant package of supports announced by the Government on Sunday so these important reliefs are implemented immediately. The Order of Business stands.