I add our support to the amendment and say it is clear that people are falling through the cracks, being pushed from pillar to post and not getting the services and supports they need. There are real concerns, in particular, around addiction and substance abuse supports for people. In my city of Cork, it is a massive issue and there is a lack of supports and services there. There are also people with mental health issues. We support those amendments, particularly the guiding principles they seek to insert in the legislation. It is an important issue, and it should be dealt with.
Sentiment score: 0.16
Many of the amendments in this group were tabled by my colleague, Deputy Liam Quaide, who, unfortunately, cannot be here. He sends his apologies. The amendments seek to delete the term "mental disorder" and substitute it with "mental health difficulty". Many key stakeholders have raised concerns about the continued use of "mental disorder" in the Bill. I note the Minister has brought forward an amendment to expand the definition of "mental disorder", but the term itself remains problematic. The Psychological Society of Ireland has called it outdated and stigmatising, while Mental Health Reform has stated that the use of such medicalised language can be exclusionary for some people. I accept there is no consensus on an appropriate replacement term and that everybody's experience is different, but there is general agreement that the term "disorder" should no longer be used. It is not in line with the terminology adopted by the UN, the UNCRPD, the WHO or the European Commission. The Psychological Society of Ireland has put forward "mental illness" as a replacement, while Mental Health Reform has suggested either "mental health difficulties" or "psychosocial disability". My colleague, Deputy Quaide, went with "mental health difficulty" for the purpose of these amendments. This term would also be in line with the language used in Sharing the Vision. I believe this would be a more appropriate term but remain open-minded about other suggestions. I am interested in hearing the Minister of State's thinking on this and the rationale for the continued use of "mental disorder", which most people see as archaic language.
Sentiment score: -0.09
On the definition before us, amendment No. 13 states, ""mental disorder” means, in relation to a person, any mental illness or mental health difficulty". If the Deputy has a problem with the term "mental health difficulty", he is actually speaking against the Government amendment. I seek some clarity on that. The new definition of mental disorder we are seeing in amendment No. 13 includes "illness or mental health difficulty". I would like some clarity on that.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 17: In page 14, line 36, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 21: In page 16, line 1, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 26: In page 17, line 9, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I want to express my concerns about children being moved to adult psychiatric services. I say respectfully to the Minister of State that if she does not want to tie the hands of consultants, the best way to do that would be to ensure there are services and supports for people. I agree with the suggestion that this issue around 16- and 17-year-olds should be considered as part of the review of the Act. I welcome that the review will now happen within five years rather than ten. I would be interested to hear, with regard to legislation generally, what the general timeframe for review is. Is five years a more standard timeframe? It is welcome that this amendment has been passed as well.
Sentiment score: 0.40
As regards involuntary detention under section 12, the note I have from the Psychological Society of Ireland says that the threshold for involuntary detention appears to be lower than section 12 criteria for involuntary admission to registered acute mental health centres. The society expresses its deep concern and urges restoration of the higher safeguards before liberty is removed. I would be interested in the Minister of State's response to those concerns.
Sentiment score: 0.12
I asked the Minister of State questions about section 12 and I do not think I got a response. I raised the concerns of the Psychological Society of Ireland about the lowering of the threshold, whether the Minister of State agreed the threshold was lowered in section 12 for involuntary admission and what her response was to the deep concern expressed by the Psychological Society of Ireland in urging the restoration of a higher threshold and higher safeguards before the deprivation of liberty.
Sentiment score: 0.19
The question is whether the threshold has been lowered in this section for involuntary admission compared with the existing law. It is a straightforward question. It is not complicated.
Sentiment score: -0.04
I move amendment No. 38: In page 22, line 31, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 39: In page 22, lines 38 and 39, to delete “mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 40: In page 23, line 7, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 41: In page 23, line 17, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 42: In page 23, line 31, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 47: In page 24, lines 39 and 40, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 48: In page 25, line 8, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 50: In page 26, line 15, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 52: In page 26, line 32, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 55: In page 27, lines 9 and 10, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 57: In page 27, line 18, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 58: In page 27, line 25, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 59: In page 27, line 32, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 60: In page 29, line 6, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I share the concerns expressed by others. The Mental Health Commission has recommended that a dedicated authorised officer unit be set up in the HSE. I would be interested in the Minister of State's thoughts on that. I share the concern regarding full-time officers. What resources will be put in place to ensure that happens? It is all well and good saying we should have people available 24-7, but we need to resource that and have funding available. What resources does the Minister of State intend to put in place to ensure full-time officers are available across the country?
Sentiment score: 0.39
I support the sentiments of previous speakers on enshrining wider assessment. If the Minister of State agrees this needs to be done but does not agree with the actual amendment, I encourage her to consider inserting a Report Stage amendment that will achieve something similar. I ask her to consider doing that on Report Stage, if she agrees this is worth doing and is worthwhile.
Sentiment score: 0.51
I move amendment No. 78: In page 33, lines 34 and 35, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 80: In page 33, lines 39 and 40, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 88: In page 35, lines 1 and 2, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 89: In page 35, line 4, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 117: In page 52, lines 7 and 8, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
The Minister of State mentioned ECTs in her remarks. The Social Democrats will oppose section 83 which allows for ECT for children. According to the Psychological Society of Ireland, it has not been used in the State on children in more than two decades. It is still contained in the Bill. I accept that ECT is subject to the approval of the High Court. We believe that it should never be used. In 2023, the WHO and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights advised against the use of ECT on children and young people and recommended its prohibition by legislative. The Ombudsman for Children has also raised concerns and said that further consideration must give to its inclusion in this new Bill.
Sentiment score: 0.16