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Govt signs off on largest overhaul of Ireland's mental health law after years of delays

The long-awaited Mental Health Amendment Bill was approved for publication today.

A LONG AWAITED bill to overhaul of Ireland’s mental health laws has been approved for publication after protracted delays. 

The legislation will update the Mental Health Act 2001. 

It is close to ten years since an expert group tasked with reviewing the Mental Health Act 2001 recommended 165 changes to the law.

The proposed legislation would strengthen regulation around people consenting to the type of treatment they receive.

It will also regulate all community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) which currently fall outside the scope of regulation set out under the 2001 Act.

Detention 

The bill provides for an updated involuntary admission and detention process for people with severe mental health difficulties, including a revised set of criteria for admission.

It also reforms the approach to consent to treatment for involuntarily admitted people.

Stronger safeguards for people accessing inpatient treatment also forms part of the legislation, which also includes provisions to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to consent to or refuse mental health treatment.

While the progress is welcomed by the Mental Health Commission, no timeline has been given as to when the legislation will pass.

Threat of election

A spokesperson for the Department of Health states that as the Dáil is in recess until 16 September 2024, it will not be possible to bring the Bill through all stages of the legislative process by the end of September.

If a general election is called, which is expected to take place in autumn, the bill will fall at the dissolution of the Oireachtas.

The decision to reconstitute the bill will be taken by the next government, they confirmed, stating that if this occurs, it will re-enter the legislative process at the stage it reached prior to the dissolution of the previous Oireachtas. 

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the legislation is an opportunity to put in place more robust, person-centric mental health legislation that will further modernise, reform and protect the rights of people with mental health difficulties in the decades ahead. 

Minister of State Mary Butler said the bill has been a personal priority of for her throughout her times as minister. The minister said she is looking forward to moving the bill in the Houses of the Oireachtas in the autumn, stating she is committed to progressing the bill as quickly as possible.

Dr John Hillery of the Mental Health Commission welcomed the progress with the Bill, stating “we can now look forward to the Act being signed into law in the not-too-distant future”. 

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    Mute Tom Newell
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    Nov 15th 2024, 10:32 AM

    Which ones the celebrity?

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    Mute Ger Whelan
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    Nov 15th 2024, 10:34 AM

    @Tom Newell: As if you don’t Recognise Tyrone from Coronation street.

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    Mute Sam Walsh
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    Nov 15th 2024, 12:34 PM

    @Ger Whelan: No, no I don’t.

    16
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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Nov 15th 2024, 10:31 AM

    It’s one of my telly guilty pleasures! Always a bit of fun and ant and dec are brilliant.

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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Nov 15th 2024, 11:10 AM

    @J B: ah we can’t all be as edgy and cool as you.

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    Mute Cormac Byrne
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    Nov 16th 2024, 8:52 AM

    @J B: not need to be such a bellend..

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    Mute Eamon
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    Nov 15th 2024, 10:25 AM

    No.

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    Mute Annette
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    Nov 15th 2024, 10:32 AM

    NO.

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    Mute Margaret Deacon
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    Nov 15th 2024, 11:10 AM

    Absolutely not

    52
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    Mute Paddy Whelan
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    Nov 15th 2024, 10:54 AM

    Not for me but if it’s your thing then enjoy

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    Mute Alex
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    Nov 15th 2024, 12:11 PM

    Hopefully they get in Mrs Vardy halfway through the series, now that I’d watch

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    Mute Tezmond McVicar
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    Nov 15th 2024, 2:00 PM

    @Alex: that’s even sadder than watching it in the first place.

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    Mute Alex
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    Nov 16th 2024, 10:18 PM

    @Tezmond McVicar: ouch

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    Mute Phillip Smyth
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    Nov 15th 2024, 11:23 AM

    Viewers saying they’re not when they are.

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    Mute ben wu
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    Nov 15th 2024, 11:53 AM

    @Phillip Smyth: I can quite honestly say that I’m not going to be watching any of it.

    35
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    Mute bruce banner
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    Nov 15th 2024, 11:20 AM

    Imagine how many great series never get made as this lazy format vacuums up a huge part of the programming budget

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    Mute Dermot Blaine
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    Nov 15th 2024, 2:49 PM

    @bruce banner: they make more than it costs I’m sure, otherwise they wouldn’t do it

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    Mute Phillip Smyth
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    Nov 15th 2024, 11:05 AM

    Yep I’m in for it, can’t wait to see how Colleen Rooney performs.

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    Mute Padraig O'Brien
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    Nov 15th 2024, 11:20 AM

    It’s right up there with Fairly shitty and Ireland v Finland!

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    Mute reg morrisey
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    Nov 15th 2024, 12:33 PM

    Love it. Watch it every year with the family. And ant and Dec ARE brilliant.

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    Mute Tony Mc Callion
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    Nov 15th 2024, 4:54 PM

    Not a great lineup

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    Mute liam ward
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    Nov 15th 2024, 11:57 AM

    And the deaf no,s will fall on the deaf ears of itv only their advertiser’s matter people dont ask Schofield that

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    Mute John Scully
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    Nov 15th 2024, 12:21 PM

    New programme starting the end of the month… Philip Schofield runs a train

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    Mute David Fox
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    Nov 15th 2024, 9:10 PM

    I’d rather dip my nuts in acid

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    Mute Frank O'Hara
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    Nov 16th 2024, 1:35 PM

    It’s not for everyone, but I’ve always enjoyed watching I’m a Celebrity. It’s been a family tradition since 2007 and it’s a sign that Christmas is just around the corner.

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    Mute Seamus Doyle
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    Nov 17th 2024, 9:55 AM

    Worst program ever.

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