This is a set of technical amendments to replace the words "record" with "records" - an extra S - where it occurs throughout the Bill.

Unfortunately, I cannot support this amendment as I do not believe it is appropriate to primary legislation. We may be able to work something out. The review of the operation of this enactment will be led on by the Department of Health. The Department is the appropriate entity to carry out the review because it is responsible for the drafting of the legislation. If, ahead of that review, or as part of it, the Government of the day is of the belief that a report on maximising autonomy is required, then it would be a…

I wish to withdraw amendment No. 83, as discussed earlier.

This is scandalous.

That is appalling.

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue in relation to having a rapid response vehicle on a 24-7 basis in County Roscommon. I acknowledge that the Deputy has been continuously raising this issue and advocating in relation to advanced paramedics. By way of background, as the Deputy well knows, the National Ambulance Service serves County Roscommon out of three bases located in Roscommon, Boyle and Loughglinn, which all operate on a 24-7 basis. All three bases are staffed by a highly skilled workforce of …

I thank the Deputy for articulating the current situation in County Roscommon. The Deputy referred to people being put at risk. When anybody makes a 999 call looking for an ambulance, the call is triaged in relation to how serious the situation is, for example, whether it is a cardiac case, stroke, a broken limb, a fall or whatever else. The first response from the National Ambulance Service is always to triage and respond to the most critical incident first. It is important that anybody tuning in to this debate he…

I thank the Deputy very much for his question. I am quite disappointed at how the Deputy has presented the situation in Wexford. I think of all of those who are working in mental health services in Wexford today. They would be disappointed by the Deputy's statement that Wexford has been completely left behind in relation to mental health services. I will approach this issue in three different ways. First, as the Deputy knows, we have six new regional health areas. Community healthcare organisations, CHO, 5 and 6 ha…

I am trying to count to five here because, as I reiterated, only two children across the whole country were admitted to adult wards last year. Two 17-year-olds were admitted, with the consent of their parents, for their own safety. There are no children being admitted to the department of psychiatry at University Hospital Waterford. That is the first thing I want to put on the record. Second, when we are finished here I suggest that the Deputy takes a look at the Mental Health Commission's report on foot of its vis…

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Appointment of Ordinary Member of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 (Second Stage, resumed) (to adjourn after 2 hours and 4 minutes) Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Mercosur Trade Agreement, selected by Sinn Féin. Wednesday's business shall be: - Statements and Q&A post European Council meeting of 18th December 2025, pursuant…

I note the various proposals from the Opposition Whips. Any time there is an announcement about special classes for children with additional needs, that should be welcomed regardless of who announces it. It is important, and I want to compliment both Ministers on all of the work they have done in regard to special classes. I have noted all observations. We have a busy schedule for the week. I will not be accepting any of the changes to legislation and the Order of Business stands.

I move: That Dáil Éireann, in accordance with section 8(3)(a) of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act 2003, as amended, appoints Deputy Brian Brennan to be an ordinary member of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission in place of Deputy Frank Feighan who has resigned his office in accordance with the aforementioned section 8.

I am delighted to be here this evening to note the publication of the pre-legislative scrutiny report in respect of the Bill. This is the last item of business for 2025 and I believe it is an extremely important one to discuss. I thank the Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on Health, Deputy Rice, and commend him on his commitment and passion on this issue. I compliment committee members and committee staff for the highly collaborative and practical way they have worked with my ministerial colleagues and Departme…

I thank all the Members for their valuable contributions this evening. The Minister, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, as Members know, is very supportive of this legislation. I acknowledge the parents who are in the Public Gallery from various advocacy groups who worked and engaged with the 2024 Act and are doing exactly the same again with this new Act that is under way. This is extremely complex legislation, as everyone can appreciate. As Chief Whip, one of my roles relates to legislation. I had the end-of-year …

That is not true.

It was 21 Bills this year and there are 25 going through the Houses. I just want to put that on the record as there is so much misinformation out there.

Twenty-one. Five more are to be signed in this week. So that is 16 with five more to be signed in. I apologise to the Ceann Comhairle for the over and back but I think clarity is important. There are 25 Bills through the Houses. I have given eight sessions between the Dáil and the Seanad on the Mental Health Bill, with 650 amendments. They take time.

We had committees as well.

I thank everyone or being here this morning. Amendment No. 37 replaces subsection (1)(c) in the section on guiding principles for children and proposes new paragraphs (c) and (d) to differentiate between the role of parents and guardians of children who are under 16 and those who are over 16. The amendment clarifies the guiding principles to ensure there is a presumption of capacity for children aged over 16. Where a child has capacity, the views of his or her parents are recorded. That is the important part. This …

I thank the Senator.