I move amendment No. 50: In page 67, line 7, after “Justice” to insert “, Home Affairs and Migration”.

I thank Deputy Clarke. Amendment No. 51 does not provide for a definition of "chemical restraint" or "advocate", two terms which have not been used elsewhere in the Bill. Amendment No. 52, proposed by Deputy Quaide, exactly matches the text of the published general scheme and includes terms that have not been used in the Bill itself. The Department has not included provisions on the use of chemical restraint in the Bill as initiated or as amended. While a reference was included in the published general scheme of th…

I will be brief. As I have said, chemical restraint is a complicated matter. I do not believe the amendments proposed here today adequately address the complexities of the issue. The Mental Health Commission can determine a code of practice in respect of any restrictive practice. It is positive that the Mental Health Commission noted in its latest publication that there has been an overall reduction in episodes of restrictive practices. That is very welcome. It is what we want to see. I am not satisfied that the pr…

I move amendment No. 53: In page 70, line 11, after “Justice” to insert “, Home Affairs and Migration”.

I spoke at some length on Committee Stage about child admissions to adult units and do not propose to speak about the matter in great detail again but I would like to speak to the amendment. We do not need to put a time limit in primary legislation on how long a child can be admitted to an adult unit. The small number of child admissions that currently take place are done on an emergency basis and for as short a period as possible. I cannot accept a restriction on the length of an admission because there may be cas…

The Deputy was not speaking to the amendment. May I conclude?

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 60(6)) (Defence Forces Tribunal of Inquiry) Regulations 2025 (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Motion re Referral to Committee of draft Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2025 (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2025 (Second Stage) (to conclude within 3 hours and 34 minutes; any division claimed to be …

A Cheann Comhairle-----

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I thank the Whips for the comments.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle very much. I acknowledge the comments from the various Whips. We have a very busy schedule this week with several items of legislation to conclude. For example, just this afternoon, the Minister for housing will be in the House for three and a half hours for Second Stage of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Order of Business stands.

I move: That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2025, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 4th July, 2025, be referred to the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in accordance with Standing Order 103(5), which, not later than 16th July, 2025, shall send a message to the Dáil in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 110, and Standing Order 109(2) shall according…

I thank Senator Byrne for raising this very important issue. The long-term illness scheme was established under section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970, as amended. Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 prescribing 16 conditions covered by the scheme. These include acute leukaemia, mental handicap - which is not wording we use any more, I have to say, when I think about it- cerebral palsy, mental illness in a person under 16, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes insipidus, muscular dystrophies, diabete…

Any disease or condition a person, especially a young person, is living with is very difficult. It is difficult for the parents and siblings too because when somebody is ill in the house, everybody is involved. This is the right way. At the same time, though, Crohn's disease is very debilitating and very difficult for a young person to manage. They do not want to have to battle for things such as a medical card. The Department will always welcome any submissions it gets. All the correspondence that comes into the D…

This is especially the case when we are talking about the new mental health Bill I will be bringing to Report Stage on Wednesday. It is a huge Bill and I am looking forward to bringing it into the Seanad shortly. I will bring this matter back to the Minister and revert to the Senator.

I thank Deputy McGrath for raising this issue and for attending the Cluain adult training centre with me and Councillor Siobhán Ambrose a few weeks ago. It is an excellent facility which provides a range of services for those with disabilities, acquired brain injuries and mental health challenges. It supports people who might fall between the cracks otherwise. I was very impressed by the fact that the centre identifies the needs of trainees and tailors the supports to suit them. I have asked mental health officials…

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Nomination to Appoint the Deputy Police Ombudsman (without debate) - Motion re Fourth Report of the Standing Committee of Selection (without debate) - Statements on the publication of the report of the review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes). Tuesday's private members' business shall be Motion re GPO and Moore Street regeneration as a 1916 Cultural Quarter, selected by Sinn Féin. Wednesday's b…

I thank the Whips for the issues they have raised-----

I thank the Whips for the issues they have raised. I will take on board everything that has been raised, but we had a meeting of the Business Committee last Thursday morning. The Ceann Comhairle was present at the meeting. Apart from one issue with regard to the time allocated, the Order of Business for this week was agreed. I will, however, take on board comments that have been made. There will be statements on the Middle East tomorrow afternoon for three and a half hours. Next week there will also be post-Europea…

What was stated on Highland Radio in Donegal last week is not a matter for the Order of Business but------

-----we can discuss having health statements, if the Deputy so wishes, on the issue. An amendment to the Order of Business was moved under Standing Order 35(3). I will not be accepting the amendment today.