Mary Butler
Waterford · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Major improvements are happening across services: enhanced access to proactive and preventive healthcare to support a better quality of life; the embedding and upscaling of women's health initiatives put in place through the implementation of the previous women's health action plans, including, as the Senator knows, free contraception, sp…”
“In relation to any proposal, a proposal for a new location requires a detailed business case, a premises, support from the regional HSE management, and the necessary funding to resource the staffing of the service. That is where I come into it and what I will be trying to do.”
“We are currently working closely with it to support the expansion of Jigsaw services to Waterford and the south east, as well as to County Clare. The location of Waterford was picked because we have no services in the south east at all. It is great that we will have the hub and spoke model the Senator spoke about.”
“That is where I do not agree with the Senator. I believe €180 million of funding ring-fenced for women's health, when we have come from a low base, is absolutely unbelievable.”
“The plan will build on our knowledge of women's health through research and innovation and will spotlight important areas such as endometriosis and cardiovascular health. Recently, the Minister announced €2 million in funding for women's health research.”
“This plan will continue to focus on how we can improve access to specialist endometriosis care and treatment. As the Senator knows, we have established two super-regional specialist centres, one in Tallaght University Hospital and another in Cork, alongside the development of five regional endometriosis hubs.”
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“the proceedings on the Second Stage of the Gas Safety (Amendment) Bill 2026 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 3 hours and 34 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply thereto: (a) the arrangements for the first speaking round shall be in accordance with those contained in the table immediately below (to be read across, not down); (b) on the conclusion of the first speaking round or where speeches conclude before the 3 hours and 24 minutes have elapsed and no other member is offering, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes, whereupon proceedings shall be brought to a conclusion; and (c) members may share time; and Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 20 20 20 12 4 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 20 12 4 20 12 SF ITG Gov SF OM Mins 4 20 12 4 20 4.”
“the Statements and Q&A post European Council meeting of 18th December 2025, pursuant to Standing Order 133, shall not exceed 1 hour and 58.5 minutes, and the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows: (a) the arrangements for the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the arrangements contained in the table immediately below (to be read across, not down); (b) following the statements, questions and answers shall be taken for 20 minutes; (c) on the conclusion of the questions and answers, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes; and (d) members may share time; Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 15 10 5 9 3.5 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 5 8 3.5 5 8 SF ITG Gov SF Mins 3.5 5 8 8 3.”
“when the order of business shall resume with the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025; (d) the weekly division time may be taken later than 8.45 p.m. and shall in any event be taken on the conclusion of proceedings on the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, and the Dáil shall adjourn on the conclusion of the weekly division time; 2.”
“In relation to Wednesday's business, it is proposed that: 1. the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the following extent: (a) the time allotted for Government Business shall be extended in accordance with the arrangements for that business and the Dáil may sit later than 9.30 p.m.; (b) the Statements and Q&A post European Council meeting of 18th December 2025, pursuant to Standing Order 133, shall be taken at the time when the SOS pursuant to Standing Order 25(1) would normally be taken, and on the conclusion of the Minister’s response to the statements, the sitting shall stand suspended either for one hour or until 4.10 p.m., whichever is the later; and (c) in the event the Second Stage of the Gas Safety (Amendment) Bill 2026 concludes before 7 p.m., the sitting shall stand suspended until 7 p.m.”
“in relation to the resumed proceedings on the Second Stage of the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 the following arrangements shall apply: (a) subject to subparagraph (iii), the proceedings shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned after 1 hour and 54 minutes and the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows: (i) the speaking slots from the arrangements for the resumed first round from Wednesday 17th December, 2025 shall be continued from the point at which they were adjourned; (ii) a second round of speeches shall be taken on conclusion of the resumed first round and in accordance with Standing Order 183, the second-round speeches shall not exceed 20 minutes in each case; (iii) where speeches conclude before the 1 hour and 54 minutes have elapsed and no other member is offering, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and; (iv) members may share time; and (b) the proceedings shall not be resumed on Tuesday.”
“and shall, in any event be taken on the adjournment of proceedings of the resumed Second Stage of the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025, or where those proceedings conclude within the available time, on the conclusion thereof, with consequential effect on the commencement times for the items following in the ordinary routine of business, namely, oral Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, and topical issues, and on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil; 2. the proceedings on the Motion re Appointment of Ordinary Member of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission shall be taken without debate and any division claimed thereon shall be taken immediately; and 3.”
“and to conclude within 1 hour) Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Uisce Éireann Infrastructure Delivery, Accountability and Repair Timelines, selected by Independent Technical Group. Thursday's business shall be: - Statements on Artificial Intelligence (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) Thursday evening business shall be the Second Stage of the Derelict Sites (Amendment) Bill 2022, sponsored by Deputy Thomas Gould. Proposed Arrangements for this week’s business: In relation to Tuesday’s business, it is proposed that: 1. the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the extent that private members’ business may be taken earlier than 6.12 p.m.”
“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 to Standing Order 133 (not to exceed 1 hour 33.5 mins, followed by 20 mins Q&A and Ministerial response for 5 mins) - Gas Safety (Amendment) Bill 2026 (Second Stage) (to conclude within 3 hours and 34 minutes) - Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 (Report and Final Stages) (to commence no earlier than 7 p.m.”
“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.”
“It has been a lot of busy days and late nights. It is fitting that on the first day of the new Dáil, I was not Chief Whip at the time, but when the Taoiseach was appointed after that first day both of us took to the floor first and both of us are concluding here tonight. I wish everyone a happy Christmas and especially those in the Public Gallery. I thank all the staff in the Houses who are here late on a Thursday night. It is often known as the graveyard shift but I believe this is one of the most important pieces of legislation on the most important topic that we can debate and it is fitting that it is the last debate this year. Thank you.”
“EU member states have been considering the matter of basic mutual recognition of parentage at EU level for many years and agreeing a common approach has proven to be exceptionally challenging, given the complexities involved. Nevertheless, the Government is determined to find solutions to this. The Minister is determined to find solutions to this and to many other outstanding questions. Intensive work will continue in the new year to advance the health (assisted human reproduction) (amendment) Bill, the commencement of the 2024 Act, and the operational capacity of the AHRRA. All that remains for me to do is to wish everyone a very happy Christmas. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for all her support to me as Chief Whip over the last ten or 11 months. It has been a baptism of fire, maybe for both of us.”
“The outcome of a number of ongoing relevant legal cases will also have a direct bearing on the ability to finalise the Bill. However, I assure Deputies that all involved are fully committed to completing the work required to publish the Bill as soon as it is practical. As one example, a recommendation in the pre-legislative scrutiny report seeks the inclusion of a process to recognise the parentage of Irish citizens living abroad who have children through surrogacy or donor-assisted human reproduction, DAHR. This is being proposed to be included in the Bill, with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration taking the lead. I know that Deputy Rice and fellow Deputies will appreciate the complexities involved and the challenge on producing appropriate, balanced and coherent legislation.”
“Indeed, completion of the pre-legislative scrutiny report was an important element in the process. Once again, I compliment Deputy Rice for his commitment and passion to getting this over the line. One of the key recommendations and issues raised by the committee relates to communication and awareness. The Government and I completely agree on the importance of clarity on any new laws that will be introduced and, if applicable, transitional arrangements. Under the terms of the legislation, the AHRRA will produce relevant information documents. I also know that Members wish to have certainty about when exactly the Bill will be published. There is continued intensive engagement involving the lead Departments and the Office of the Attorney General on a number of complex issues.”
“I also acknowledge the former Minister, Stephen Donnelly, with whom I worked closely in the Department for five years as well as former Senator, Mary Seery Kearney, who put her heart and soul into this work. While he will not be a bit happy, I also wish to acknowledge my adviser sitting in the Public Gallery, Mr. Páraic Gallagher, who worked closely on this with many of the parents in the previous Dáil. I also know that relevant officials from the Department will have been closely taking notes of all the queries, comments and issues raised tonight as they look to finalise the Bill. I believe we are at that stage. I have set out the progress being made on various fronts on the path to having a robust and operational regulatory framework for assisted human reproduction, AHR.”
“While the Minister was hopeful that the Bill would be ready prior to Christmas, it will get priority drafting. It certainly will get any priority supports it needs from my end as Chief Whip. It is great to have consensus across the Dáil. It does not always happen. As Deputy Sherlock said, this is really important for a small group of parents who need this vital legislation for themselves and their children. I assure Deputies that I will inform the Minister of the constructive observations made today, especially in respect of section 232, which Deputies Rice and Sherlock both spoke about. In fairness, the Minister wrote the speech herself. She is very invested in this and I wish to acknowledge that.”
“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 wrap-up with the Attorney General and the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to the Government yesterday afternoon. We discussed the Bill and it is under way. It is legally complex and technical and there is a lot of good co-operation between the Department of Health and the Department of justice on it.”
“Second, all provisions in the 2015 Act, the 2024 Act and the forthcoming Bill in respect of donor-assisted human reproduction and surrogacy apply equally, irrespective of whether the intending parents are a same-sex couple or an opposite-sex couple, or if there is a single intending parent. Finally, on behalf of the Minister and myself, I again commend the health committee on the report and recommendations. The Minister looks forward to continuing to progress the AHR legislation and develop the regulatory framework in the spirit of co-operation demonstrated to date by the committee and the Oireachtas as a whole. I apologise on behalf of the Minister who was not in a position to be here herself this evening.”
“This goal will also be achieved by the ban on commercial surrogacy, which will reduce any financial incentive to trafficking for the purpose of exploitation through surrogacy. Similarly, there are controls in place as regards the payments to intermediaries. Separately, it will be necessary for the surrogate mother to receive appropriate information and independent legal advice prior to entering a surrogacy agreement. Finally, there will be a residency requirement of two years in the surrogacy jurisdiction before a woman can act as a surrogate mother. Combined, these measures provide robust protections and safeguards against the possible exploitation of surrogate mothers.”
“Through the regulation of both international and domestic surrogacy, the 2024 Act guards against the trafficking of women for the purpose of exploitation through surrogacy. This will be ensured, in the first place, by the criteria used by the AHRRA to approve surrogacy jurisdictions. This will include consideration of the laws regarding surrogacy in the jurisdiction, the regulation and oversight of those involved in the provision of services related to surrogacy, and the rights of surrogate mothers, including the extent to which they are enforced. Consideration will also be given to the ability of the authority to monitor compliance with the provisions of the AHR Act in that jurisdiction.”
“We must also consider and give due regard to EU and international developments in this space and learn the valuable lessons that experience and practice show us. As an Oireachtas, we must use the opportunity the PLS report presents to reflect and to make sure that we get this right. We need to actively to listen to all of the viewpoints and be confident that advancing rights for some is not at the cost of the rights of others. I understand that the Department of justice is working closely with the Department of Health to ensure that the health (assisted human reproduction) (amendment) Bill has sufficient safeguards to protect the rights of surrogate mothers, including from the threat of human trafficking, and continues to engage with the Department of Health on the matter as drafting continues.”
“First, the many safeguards and requirements within the legislation are there to protect the rights and welfare of intending parents, surrogate mothers and, most of all, all the children born as a result of assisted human reproduction. Of course, as a Government, we are committed to doing our best to achieve the best outcomes for all involved. As I am sure the Deputy will agree, this whole area needs to be looked at forensically through a human rights lens, with an absolute focus on the care and protection of the surrogate mother. We need to carry out every human rights appraisal and evaluation possible to prevent possible exploitation of individuals. The Minister is obliged to protect the women we do not hear from - the women who do not have a voice.”
“In addition, the Minister expects to commence section 232 of the 2024 Act, which would result in the parentage of some donor-conceived children not covered by the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 being officially recognised. The board of the regulatory authority, chaired by Professor Deirdre Madden, has met on a number of occasions. It is expected that a CEO will be appointed very soon. These developments represent very significant milestones on our path to providing the necessary oversight and regulation in this area of health. It is worth emphasising two crucial principles that have underpinned all legislative measures in this sphere.”
“Formal drafting of the AHR amendment Bill, which is largely concerned with outstanding issues of parentage and citizenship but also seeks to make other refinements and improvements to various sections of the AHR Act 2024 itself, is at an advanced stage, led by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, in conjunction with officials from the Departments of Health, Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, and Children, Disability and Equality. Drafting work on the amending Bill is continuing. Some administrative sections of the 2024 Act have been commenced, specifically to allow the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority, AHRRA, to be formally established.”
“However, the final 2024 Act also includes substantive new provisions in respect of the regulation of future surrogacy arrangements undertaken by Irish residents in other jurisdictions and the recognition of parentage arising from certain past domestic and international surrogacy arrangements. While the 2024 Act was progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas, issues were identified that required further consideration and consultation with the Office of the Attorney General.”
“I also assure the House that work is continuing on other elements in this area and I am happy to report that much progress has been made and intensive work is continuing. As the House will be aware, the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act was signed into law by the President in July last year, having passed all stages in both Houses of the Oireachtas. The primary purpose of this complex and far-reaching legislation is to regulate fertility clinics providing assisted human reproduction. The AHR Bill, as initially published, also included provisions in respect of domestic altruistic surrogacy.”
“I assure him and the committee that the issues raised have been and are being considered as part of the formal drafting process. At this juncture and point in the deliberative process on the amending Bill, I cannot be specific on some of the issues raised. However, I can say that, without prejudice to the outcome of any future Oireachtas debates and decisions, it is anticipated at this point that many of the recommendations will be reflected in the legislation when it is published. There are many moving parts in legislating for the myriad of very complex issues associated with assisted human reproduction in Ireland. The PLS report was a key piece in the jigsaw, so its publication is welcomed.”
“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 Department officials. I particularly acknowledge the co-operation of the committee for their commitment to producing the report in such a timely fashion. As Deputy Rice said, the committee worked last summer to do that. The PLS report includes a total of 18 recommendations, which the Deputy has gone through.”
“Will we ever see a situation in Ireland where we will have inpatient beds in every town and village for people under 16 or under 18 who are unwell? No, we will not, and you do not see that in any country in the world. We have to be realistic. This is where I believe advocacy is overtaking care. I am trying to find the balance. If I have to debate this for another week, I will not change my mind.”
“At the same time, I think Senator Costello asked last week about what we would do if it was our child and we had a decision to make in real time, at 2 o'clock in the morning, with a consultant and clinical nurse specialist who are trying to support a young person who is at risk of suicide. What if the only option for the child is to be placed in an adult facility overnight, not in a ward with an adult or in a room with an adult but in a room on their own with an en suite bathroom - I use that word lightly because I have been in all of these facilities - and with one-on-one support overnight? All the staff want to is keep that young person safe, well and monitored until they can be moved to the appropriate facility.”
“I get updated weekly about waiting lists in our inpatient facilities such as Merlin Park Hospital, St. Vincent's Hospital, Eist Linn and Linn Dara. We are speaking about a very small cohort of people. To go back to Senator Stephenson's point, she said she did not say we should legislate. The point I made was that if we wrote into legislation that it is acceptable for a young person to be detained in an adult facility for their own safety, with the support of their parents and one-on-one supports for no longer than 72 hours, I think it would open a crack in the door. All I want is to see the number get to zero. I will very happy when that happens.”
“In relation to private capacity, we have service level agreements with some of the private hospitals. I will give an example. When St. Loman's Hospital was closed in Wexford in 2011 additional capacity was bought at University Hospital Waterford for Wexford and Waterford patients. We have a service level agreement with St. Patrick's in Dublin. That would not be unusual. There are people who have been involuntarily detained in private facilities as well. We need to focus on a child who has been involuntarily detained. That will always be done through a court order. That will depend on what capacity is available. In the main, my understanding is the child would be placed in HSE facilities if the capacity was there. Senator Boyhan said he has different figures but I have to work with the details I get. I get updated monthly on that.”
“The direction of travel for the past week or two has only been in relation to the person who needs the support. There are a lot of people who need support but we need qualified people to deliver that support as well.”
“However, I certainly will not legislate to tie a consultant's hand behind their back in real time in a very difficult situation when it is a choice of life over death. We have spent a lot of time debating this, so I will conclude on my third point because I want to try to move the Bill on. We have to get the line right between advocacy and treatment. It has to be workable. You cannot only look at it from one side. I have to try to meet it in the middle so that we are supporting every person with a mental disorder, illness or condition, whether it is emotional distress or whatever else. We also have to support the clinicians, who are qualified and trained, by ensuring they are able to do their job as well. We cannot lose sight of that in this Bill.”
“The information I have is that two young people, with the support of their parents, were in an adult facility for a very short period. If I legislate for that not to happen, there will be cases of young persons, who are a risk to themselves or others, being left out of a facility overnight. We all know what might happen then. That is the first point. The second point is that if we legislate to allow such placements for up to 72 hours, I would be afraid that the trend would reverse because people might say there is now legislation in place so under-18s can be kept in an adult facility for that length of time. I do not want to encourage that at all. I want to be able to come in here in the new year and say there were no such cases. I will not legislate to open the door again. That is the way I feel about it.”
“No. What I am speaking to in this Bill is the public sector, our approved centres the length and breadth of the country. I am not speaking to private facilities, which do not come under my remit per se, although they do come under the Mental Health Commission in relation to governance and obtaining a permit to provide the supports for those who are detained voluntarily and involuntarily. The information that was given to me was until October, so I do not have the numbers from-----”
“The Senator stated that they were incarcerated. I ask him to withdraw that. If he looks up the dictionary, and I did, he will see what the word "incarcerated" means. I do not think he meant it, but I would love for it to be withdrawn from the record.”
“Incarcerated means to be imprisoned or confined in a jail, prison or similar correctional facility, essentially having one's liberty restricted by authority, often after being convicted of a crime. No children are incarcerated. These children were admitted voluntarily. They were supported by their parents and clinicians. I ask Senator Boyhan to correct the record of the Seanad. I do not think he meant it. I think it is a word he used but I do not believe for one second that I would stand over that children were incarcerated in an adult psychiatric ward.”
“They were both aged 17 and had one-to-one support all night long. They also had the support of their parents and clinicians. I have said it before and I will say it again, I will always choose life over death. I will not go back into the matter again. I am not for turning. Anybody who knows me in my role as Minister of State since 2020 will know that I have never wavered on this. I will not do so now. That was a time when we had more than 100 children in this situation. This year, we have had two. These are the numbers I will stand over all day long. I want to raise a further point. Senator Boyhan stated that children were incarcerated. He may have said that but I do not think he meant it . They are not incarcerated.”
“I will try to wrap this up, because I want to move on. We spent a lot of time debating this last week. If I have to stay here until I turn 60, I will do so. I will not legislate to put children into adult wards. I am amazed that the Opposition is asking me to legislate to put children into adult wards for up to 72 hours. I will never do that. As I said, there have been two children put into wards so far this year. That is not down to me. I have led on this matter, but it is down to all of the staff working day and night, every day of the week, including on Christmas Day and St. Stephen's Day. On Christmas Eve, when we will all be at home, there will be people working 24-7 to support the most vulnerable in society, who are potentially a risk to themselves or others. The two children in question were in an approved centre.”
“I believe the responses I gave last week set out clearly on the record of the Seanad that we are ensuring that the best interests of the child and the adult are upheld, and where there is an infringement of a child's rights, such infringement is subject to very stringent legal safeguards.”
“I am not going to go back to the drawing board now to restart the Bill. When this Bill was being drafted, with the support of the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, we were cognisant every step of the way. I am a mother myself. As I said on the record on several occasions, my own child was in the care of CAMHS for two years at 14, 15 and 16 years of age. Senator Costello said that as well, as have other parents. There is nothing more focused in my mind than making sure that this Bill is child focused but it has to be adult focused as well and we have to get the balance right between advocacy and treatment. That is really important while bringing a commonsense approach to it as well. That is why giving due weight to under-16s is really important.”
“I believe there is a balanced approach in the Bill to mental health treatment, enshrining the best interests of the child as the primary consideration in all decisions. I believe that we have done that. We started drafting this Bill four and a half years ago. There are 220 sections in it. We are on section 10. I have been on my feet now for the fourth time in the last two weeks and I will continue to come in and be on my feet. I thank the Senators for facilitating that as well. That is important to put on the record. I will not be here on Thursday afternoon because I will be in the Dáil. That is the reason behind it. I have obligations in the Dáil as well. I am confident that we have put significant effort into each section. As to reaching the time when we will have to align legislation, I believe we are already there.”
“I need to get the enactment up and running. I need to make sure of that because there are a lot of people in this country who are dependent on the new changes in this Bill, especially in relation to their human rights, to come into play.”
“On the Senator's statement that the conventions are not invested in any legislation at present, that is a matter for the Minister for children, disability and youth affairs. As to wanting to get to the stage where we proof every single Bill in relation to the rights of the child, I believe that we have already done so across this Bill. Significant efforts have gone into each section to ensure that the best interests of the child are upheld, and where there is an infringement of a child's rights, such infringement is subject to very stringent legal safeguards. We spent an hour last week debating this with Senator Boyhan. It was a good debate. It was important that it was put on the record of the House that that is the situation. I have no doubt it will be dealt with. At this stage, I need to get this Bill passed.”
“I dealt with this comprehensively last week. We spent a lot of time debating it. I wish the Senator well now that she is back again. She was keeping up with the debates. When we are invested in a Bill, we all do that. I am glad the Senator is well again. I will take this opportunity to remind everyone that there is an awful flu circulating and if we can, we should encourage our older loved ones, our children and our vulnerable as regards the flu vaccine that is there to support people. We have a huge amount of people in hospital at present with flu and it is very serious for older people. Mr. Bernard Gloster will be delighted that I put that on the record of the House. I went into this matter in detail last week.”
“That is why we have funded additionality in budget 2026. The Senator mentioned sending young people abroad for treatment. When an issue was raised here last week involving an eating disorder and a specific case, I said we did not have to send any child abroad, predominantly to the UK, in relation to eating disorders. We have not done that. I reassure everybody in the House when that particular case was mentioned last week, I met the parents of the child yesterday.”
“I agree with the Senator wholeheartedly. That why I focused on supporting older people in budget 2026. We are very lucky in Ireland to have one of the highest life expectancies in the European Union. Women here live a little longer than men. Notwithstanding what the Senator said just now, the facts bear that out. We have very high longevity, thank God. We have invested greatly in the last five years. When I was Minister of State with responsibility for older people, we invested in home care, day care, meals on wheels and supporting older people to live their best lives for as long as possible in their own home with the correct wraparound supports. The Senator’s point is really important because we have an ageing population and we are seeing more presentations with older people in relation to psychiatry of later life.”
“I believe, as I know the Senator believes, everybody who goes into work every day does so with the best of intentions to support young people and adults through what can be a very difficult journey. The 16- and 17-year-olds who do not have capacity and are not in a position to consent are a very small cohort of young people but a very important one. That is why we have spent so much time trying to make this part of the Bill as strong as possible. I welcome all the Senators' support. It is much appreciated.”
“To respond to Senator Boyhan, we have robust protections in place in the Bill to ensure treatment can be given to a child when he or she needs it. As I previously mentioned, if a child, or a parent or guardian on behalf of the child, refuses consent, an application can be made to the High Court to seek a treatment order. The order will be made in cases where the treatment is necessary to protect the health or life of the child from immediate and serious harm and where it is in the child’s best interest. The Senator spoke about Tusla. We have 12,000 people working across mental health through the HSE every day of the week. We also have a large number of whole-time equivalent staff working in Tusla.”
“It is really important to give due weight to the voice of the child in that case and that their voice is heard in the notes in their file as well. I am really strong on that. It is very important. I thank Senator Black for all the work she does in this area. I did that during the previous session too but it is important to acknowledge the Senator's work. We had a stand-alone Oireachtas committee on mental health. I would love to see it back up and running, even if it was only for two years. It might be important to have it up and running to tease out various issues while we enact the Bill. I would certainly support that. I may speak to the Senator in the new year to see if we can get that committee up and running.”