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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“I thank the Deputy for raising this really important issue. As she knows, most children and young people receive the care they need from CAMHS and are discharged. However, some young people may need to transition to adult services. I accept and acknowledge that transitions between services can be difficult, and that is why I established a specialist group in the Department of Health policy oversight structures to examine the process. The recommendations of the group were informed by feedback from over 200 young people who transitioned between CAMHS and adult mental health services. It included listening to the voices of young people, using electronic files and the appointment of co-ordinators. It has produced a report, which is being implemented by the national child and youth mental health office.”
“The model is still being used, but Planet Youth Ireland has separated from the cost factor and is investing the money saved in drug prevention instead.”
“Planet Youth Ireland communicated that it intends to discontinue its links with Planet Youth as it was felt the work done by Planet Youth could be done in Ireland at a lower cost. Planet Youth Ireland is separating from Planet Youth while continuing to do the work. For example, a number of regular surveys capturing information on youth drug and alcohol use patterns, risks and protective factors have been implemented in Ireland. These include European school survey projects on alcohol and drugs every four years, with the last wave of findings being published in 2025, the health behaviour of school-aged children, which monitors the health behaviours, health outcomes, drug and alcohol use and social environment of school-aged children every four years, and the Growing Up in Ireland study, which includes research on drug and alcohol use.”
“Planet Youth Ireland is an initiative to promote, as Deputy Daly said, well-being among our children and adolescents. It takes a ground-up approach whereby local regions enter into a process that researches local government agencies, the education sector and young people themselves. Planet Youth is not an intervention, though, rather a data collection exercise that provides evidence to inform interventions. The Icelandic prevention model refers to efforts made in Iceland to address adolescent drugs and alcohol use. Iceland has also significantly invested in professional parent councils and networks. It has expanded that out. Officials from the drugs policy, tobacco and alcohol control unit and health and well-being unit met representatives of Planet Youth Ireland from across Ireland on 9 March in departmental buildings.”
“Any new initiatives on drug prevention will be considered in the context of the finalised strategy, which will develop a coherent, co-ordinated and quality-based national drug prevention system. The health and well-being of all citizens is of vital importance and reducing health risk factors for our young people is a priority for this Government. I will speak about Planet Youth in my next contribution.”
“This funding has supported five programmes and represents a significant step in developing our approach to drug prevention in Ireland. As Deputy Ardagh will be aware, the first strategic pillar in the draft strategy prioritises prevention. It will seek to protect individuals, children, families and communities from the harmful effects of drug and alcohol use and will contain several actions aimed at preventing the onset of drug use among our citizens, with a particular focus on young people. Upon publication of the finalised strategy, these actions will provide targeted responses to groups that are faced with high levels of risk, such as children living with parental drug use and experiencing hidden harm.”
“I am taking this on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor. She sends her apologies. I thank Deputies Ardagh and Daly for their interest in the prevention of drug use among young people in Ireland and for the opportunity to provide an update to the House on this very important work. As Deputy Daly will be aware, the Minister of State published the draft national drugs strategy in early February. The successor strategy will seek to further the progress made under the previous drugs strategy and emphasise the importance of effective and evidence-based drug prevention. Significant support is currently being provided for drug prevention. In 2023, a first-of-its-kind funding programme to support evidence-based drug prevention initiatives was launched, providing €1.5 million to date.”
“I was delighted to work with the Minister recently to secure an unprecedented €470 million in capital investment for mental health over the next five years under the National Development Plan 2026-2030. That has never happened before, and I think everybody will welcome it.”
“It is important acknowledge the surgical hub. Earlier, the Deputy said he is a fan of surgical hubs. Some €90 million in capital investment is being spent on the surgical hub. I was delighted to be there last year, along with the Minister, to turn the sod on it, even though it was well under way at the time and will be open before Christmas, which is really important. Another piece of good news is that a site has been identified in Waterford city for a new ambulance base, which is also really important. I do not have any detail on the 96-bed unit the Deputy mentioned. I guarantee that I have also raised everything he has raised here. It is really important that we see progress. I want to put this on the record of the Dáil. Improving capital infrastructure for mental health services a key priority for me.”
“Loman's closed in 2010 or 2011, we have been getting patients from the Wexford area, which was a long journey for them. We are also looking at putting in a new ten- or 12-bed unit in Wexford.”
“The question the Deputy asked was about the HSE capital plan for Waterford and the south east in relation to mental health and mental health beds. I can speak to that. In relation to the other issues the Deputy mentioned, I do not have the relevant information but I discussed it when I had the meeting with HSE estates. On the two-storey vertical extension, the vertical overhang as it is called, my understanding is that the management at the hospital has made a different decision in relation to that and thinks that it should be a stand-alone building on the hospital grounds. I understand the new consultant-only contract is the reason for that. I was delighted to secure funding for a ten-bed unit in the Wexford area. As the Deputy knows, since St.”
“I was visiting psychiatry of later life there and we went through it. We can discuss the other pieces shortly. The good news is that the design team will be appointed very shortly, I am hoping in the next few weeks, and we will finally make the progress. The funding has been provided.”
“There is going to be an extra ten beds for psychiatry of later life. We have an ageing population and it is really important for people who have enduring mental health conditions, as they age, that they would also be able to get those supports if needed. It will be built immediately behind the Dunmore Wing, which the Deputy knows very well. He visited it with me previously. It will come out immediately behind the Dunmore Wing as part of the department of psychiatry that is there at the moment. The current car park will be lost but I spoke to the general manager of the hospital about that and he said it was a small price to pay for this new development. We expect it is going to cost in the region of at least €50 million. I met with HSE estates recently in St. Otteran's campus.”
“I thank the Deputy. The frustration that many people feel I have felt as well for quite a while. When it was announced initially in 2020 or 2021, we were in the middle of Covid. It was then held up for three years by the clinicians. At the time, I was very frustrated with them but I agree with them now. They did not want the new approved centre, the new department of psychiatry in UHW, to be, as was proposed, on the site adjacent but not connected to it. It is now going to be connected. I have allocated over €40 million for capital projects this year, including for the next stages for the acute mental health unit at Waterford. The project will move to design feasibility this quarter when a design team will be appointed for the new unit. Most importantly, because of delays, we are now moving from a 50-bed unit to a 60-bed unit.”
“I move: That Dáil Éireann, pursuant to Standing Order 33, and with effect from 21st April, 2026, approves the Eleventh Report of the Standing Committee of Selection, copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 17th April, 2026.”
“Just so that all Deputies are aware, I will clarify that they do not need to be a member of a committee to attend meetings. I note the comments made and the requests for statements. These will be considered at the meeting of the Business Committee on Thursday, as normal. The Order of Business stands.”
“In relation to Thursday's business, it is proposed that: notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders: ( a ) topical issues shall be taken immediately following the SOS for not more than 120 minutes and up to ten topical issues may be taken; and ( b ) Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science pursuant to Standing Order 47(1), that were due to be taken on Tuesday 24 March, 2026 shall be taken today for 96.5 minutes immediately following Topical Issues, with consequential effect on the commencement time for the Second Stage of the Education (Medical Emergencies in Schools) Bill 2026 and on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil.”
“and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 60 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply thereto: (a) the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows:- opening speech by a Minister or Minister of State – 10 minutes; speeches by representatives of Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, Social Democrats, Independent and Parties Technical Group, and Independent Technical Group – 7.5 minutes per party or group; speeches by non-party/group members – 7.5 minutes in total; and a speech in response by the Minister – 5 minutes; and (b) members may share time; the proceedings on the amendments from the Seanad to the Health Information Bill 2024 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 1 hour, and any amendments from the Seanad not disposed of shall be decided by one question which shall be put from the Chair, and which shall, in relation to amendments to the Seanad amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Health; the proceedings on the Motion re Bye-Election for Dublin Central shall be taken without debate and any division claimed thereon shall be taken immediately; and the proceedings on the Motion re Bye-Election for Galway West shall be taken without debate and any division claimed thereon shall be taken immediately.”
“the proceedings on the Second Stage of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2026 shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned at the end of the first speaking round and the following arrangements shall apply: ( a ) the first-round speeches, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the table below (to be read across); ( b ) 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; and (c) members may share time; the proceedings on the Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of a Council Decision to resume Vehicle Registration Data exchange with the United Kingdom for the prevention and investigation of criminal offences shall be taken no earlier than 6.30 p.m.”
“the proceedings on the Second Stage of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2026 shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned at the end of the first speaking round and the following arrangements shall apply: ( a ) the first-round speeches, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the table below (to be read across); ( b ) 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; and (c) members may share time; 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 Total: 3 hrs and 24 minutes 4.”
“the Statements and Q&A post European Council meeting of 19th March 2026, 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); (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 5 Total: 1 hr and 33.5 mins 3.”
“when the order of business shall resume with the Motion re Proposal approval by Dáil Éireann of a Council Decision to resume Vehicle Registration Data exchange with the United Kingdom for the prevention and investigation of criminal offences; ( d ) any motions to be taken without debate shall be taken on the conclusion of proceedings on the Health Information Bill 2024; and ( e ) the weekly division time shall be taken on the conclusion of proceedings on any motions without debate; 2.”
“In relation to Wednesday's business, it is proposed that: notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders: ( 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 19th March 2026, 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; ( c ) in the event proceedings on the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2026 conclude before 6.30 p.m., the sitting shall stand suspended until 6.30 p.m.”
“Thursday evening business shall be the Second Stage of the Education (Medical Emergencies in Schools) Bill 2026, sponsored by Deputy Eoghan Kenny. Proposed Arrangements for this week’s business: In relation to Tuesday’s business, it is proposed that: notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders: ( a ) Parliamentary Questions to the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance pursuant to Standing Order 47(1), that were due to be taken on Tuesday 14 April, 2026 shall be taken today for 96.5 minutes immediately following the Questions to the Taoiseach; ( b ) private members business shall be taken on conclusion of Parliamentary Questions to the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance pursuant to Standing Order 47(1) with consequential effect on the commencement times for the items following in the ordinary routine of business; the proceedings on the Motion re Eleventh Report of the Standing Committee of Selection shall be taken without debate and any division claimed thereon shall be taken immediately; and the proceedings on the Motion re Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 shall be taken without debate.”
“and if not previously concluded, to adjourn at the end of the first speaking round; not to exceed 3 hours and 34 minutes) Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of a Council Decision to resume Vehicle Registration Data exchange with the United Kingdom for the prevention and investigation of criminal offences (to be taken no earlier than 6.30 p.m. and to conclude within 60 mins) Health Information Bill 2024 (Amendments from the Seanad) (to conclude within 1 hour) Motion re Bye-Election for Dublin Central (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) Motion re Bye-Election for Galway West (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Earth Day, selected by Independent and Parties Technical Group.”
“I move: Tuesday's business shall be: Motion re Eleventh Report of the Standing Committee of Selection (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) Motion re Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 (without debate) Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Special Education, selected by Sinn Féin. Wednesday's business shall be: Statements and Q&A post European Council meeting of 19th March 2026, 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) Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2026 (Second Stage) (to be taken no earlier than 4.10 p.m.”
“I also thank my two advisers, Ian and Páraic, for all their support. I thank all, especially Teresa, so much for sitting through 24 hours of debate here in the Seanad. She did not miss a minute of it. I thank her so much, and everyone else who was here as well.”
“They have also voted that young people aged 16 can make decisions about their own mental health, like physical health, going forward. I thank each and every Member for being so broad-minded. I point out to all those people across the floor who voted against the regulation of CAMHS, community residences and restrictive practices that this is what they have done. I wholeheartedly thank James Kelly and Lorraine Doyle, who are sitting behind me, who have worked on this Bill for many years. I thank Siobhán Hargis, my principal officer, and Professor Philip Dodd, assistant chief medical officer, for his help. I thank the Bills Office, the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, the Attorney General's office and officials in the Departments of children and justice because this was a collaborative approach.”
“Before we conclude, I thank everyone who supported the Bill. They have supported human rights and a person-centred Bill that will help thousands of people each year on their recovery journey. Their voices will be heard. I am very proud to conclude this Bill here in the Seanad. I thank all Senators for their engagement over the past 24 hours. This is generational legislation and in order that those who voted in favour of the Bill know what they have done, they have voted for the regulation of CAMHS, the regulation of community residences where people with enduring mental health conditions live and for a reduction in restrictive practices. They have voted to ban electroconvulsive therapies for under-18s. They have voted that ECT treatment will only be provided to people with their consent.”
“The allocation of fully staffing mental health services and estimating levels of new additional funding are both resource allocation matters for the Minister for Health and the Government as a whole to consider as part of the annual Estimates process. It is not a function appropriate to the commission. For that reason, I am not in a position to accept the amendment.”
“I thank the Senator. I have had calls too, from people very high up who deliver psychiatric care, since I left the Chamber. They were absolutely appalled at the language the Senator used as it was so triggering. I put that on the record of the Seanad. As previously stated, the commission is independent in its function. I do not believe it is appropriate to dictate that the commission must carry out this report. Second, the commission is not responsible for implementing mental health services. It would be inappropriate for the commission to be responsible for estimating the required numbers of staff and funding in mental health services. Similarly, it would be inappropriate to require the commission to develop a youth mental health clinical specialty. That is the job of the HSE and the Department of Health.”
“These amendments primarily relate to the provision of information to a child or their parents or guardian or Tusla. These amendments arise from the earlier discussed amendments on consulted carers. Amendments Nos. 170 and 173 replace subsection (3) in both sections. The purpose of the amendment is that the information to be given to the child and their parents, guardians or Tusla remains the same. The only addition is that each child admitted will be given information about any relevant advocacy services. This was discussed in a previous grouping and it was agreed to. I am just following through on what was agreed at that time.”
“The reality is that there needs to be a legal basis for a Garda to take a child into custody where the child is immediate and serious risk of harm and to ensure there are pathways for that child to be examined and receive treatment. This amendment addresses operational concerns raised by other Departments and the HSE and ensures there are safeguards and protections for children and young people if they are taken into custody.”
“I will speak briefly. I am introducing an amendment to replace sections 74 and 75 with a new section 74. This amendment is being introduced to address operational concerns raised about some key stakeholders. The new section 74 recognises the distinct important roles of the Garda, the HSE and Tusla. Depending on the circumstances of the child, one of these three bodies will be responsible for taking charge of the child and the new section 74 recognises the different functions of each. It is an extremely rare event where a Garda must take a child into custody due to a suspected mental disorder, but it does happen on occasion. This section is being introduced to address concerns that the legal basis for taking a child into custody because of a mental disorder is not crystal clear.”
“This amendment simply restates this point in a different manner. Amendment No. 130 deletes subparagraphs (a) to (d) in section 67(2) of the Bill, as this is now covered by amendment No. 129. Finally, amendment No. 131 rewords a subsection but does not change the policy. The HSE will still be permitted to make an application without prior examination where consent to the examination is refused, or where parental consent is required and the parents cannot be found. In those cases the examination will take place after the application is made.”
“Briefly. These amendments relate to the involuntary admission of a child in section 67 of the Bill. These amendments do not change the policy behind the section. Instead, these amendments have been drafted following commentary from the Attorney General's office that additional wording in section 67 is necessary. Amendment No. 129 allows for consideration to be given to whether involuntary admission is required and whether voluntary admission is possible or if such admission will be in the best interests of the child instead. This is in line with what is currently stated in section 67(2) of the Bill, which states that an application for involuntary admission can only be made where the child meets the criteria for admission and cannot be admitted voluntarily or with parental consent under another section.”
“To make statements like that will be triggering for many people who have to go through ECT care because it means they can manage their illness very well. I hope the Senator will temper his remarks.”
“One of the things I was very keen to do - which I did do in the Dáil and I used the Seanad to put it into place - was to bring in a new section where electroconvulsive treatment, ECT, would not be provided to any person under 18 years of age. I also found out that is has not been provided in Ireland for the past ten years for anyone under 18 years of age and there is no CAMHS consultant in Ireland qualified to carry it out or who will carry it out. Do not let the facts get in the way of a good soundbite. What the Senator said is very triggering for some people who see that for their care as a person who has an enduring mental health condition, ECT can be effective. I have been told it can be effective in the care of some people. I am not clinician and nor is the Senator.”
“I actually cannot believe what the Senator has stood up and just said. I actually think it is appalling. I ask the Senator to please give me a chance to respond now because he has put out a lot of commentary there that is hanging in the air. I think it is completely inappropriate and it is factually incorrect. That is the first thing. Even though the Senator has spent a lot of time here and a lot of time on the Bill what he did not say was that this Bill will ensure that ECT, electroconvulsive treatment, is only given with the consent of the person. That is what is happening in the new Bill. To be clear, that is what is happening. At the moment, under the 2001 Act, 75% of ECT is to voluntary patients. It is really important when we throw statements out that we know the facts behind them. I am appalled at what the Senator has just said.”
“I do not believe a stand-alone report is necessary when we are going to have a report. There is just one thing I want to tease out with the Senator, which will not take long. The Senator said that the Mental Health Commission has limited resources, but I am not sure that is the case. Any application for resources that has come to me from the Mental Health Commission in the last five years has been facilitated.”
“The fact that the implementation plan will be done and different elements of the Bill will be activated first, second and third means there may be opportunities to look at different parts at different times. I am not ruling that out but we can come back to it with secondary legislation and we have already written that it into the Bill. Those are the reasons I cannot accept the amendment. I thank the Senator for all his advocacy. He has put a lot of time in here and I appreciate it.”
“I cannot be prescriptive and dictate in advance what will be included in the report. I hope the Senator does not feel that I am going against everything he said because I am not trying to do that. The most important things are the lived experience, family members, advocates, professionals, advocacy organisations, NGOs and statutory bodies in everything we do. The delivery of mental health services is all about everyone pulling together for the good of every single person in the country. However, I am already legislating for a report. We had a debate on that because, originally, it was to be reviewed every ten years. I changed that to five years. It was suggested by other Deputies in the Dáil at the time that it should be five but we are already there. It is really important that we have a review.”
“I thank the Senator. I have legislated for a review of this legislation. He knows that. It will be within five years of commencement, which will of course include a review of the provisions that relate to consent to admission and treatment and the autonomy of individuals generically. I do not see a need to legislate for a separate, stand-alone report. The Mental Health Commission will have oversight of this. I cannot really dictate to it as to how it will examine this but I am 100% with the Senator about people with lived experience, family members and advocates, mental health professionals, mental health advocacy organisations, relevant statutory bodies and I suggest that we come back to it during secondary legislation. I am hearing him and it is really important that all of those voices are heard but I have legislated for a report.”
“That will bring it to 45 suicide crisis assessment nurses, SCAN, in total in 2026. They work in the community closely with GPs. I announced six more teams. They work in pairs. One team follows on from the CAMHS team in Portiuncula Hospital to support young Travellers. There is a huge amount of presentations there. The other CAMHS team will be in Cherry Orchard in Dublin in Linn Dara. It is a new initiative to have SCANs specifically for CAMHS. I compliment them up in Donegal which I visited last summer where they developed generically a SCAN for young people to help them out. It is a really important part of a crisis response which I have funded this year. That will bring to 45 the number of suicide crisis assessment nurses. I want to give a big shout-out to them all. They do a phenomenal job.”
“To give an update on additional capacity coming on stream, according the latest information I have from the HSE concerning the National Forensic Mental Health Service hospital in Portrane, the flooring repairs needed to open additional capacity in the Central Mental Hospital have been completed. Residents of the Brandon unit approved centre are scheduled to return to the Blooms unit in the Central Mental Hospital on Saturday and Sunday coming, 18 and 19 April. This move will also see the opening of six additional female beds in the Blooms unit. That is a total of 114 beds open. I have funded 18 beds in the Central Mental Hospital to open this year. That is an update on where we are seeing the capacity increase. I hope that will resolve any concerns Senators may have.”
“I understand that existing practice provides that if an individual who develops high-level mental health difficulties is believed to meet the criteria for involuntary admission to an approved centre or registered acute mental health centre, as they are in the new Bill, they will be transferred from prison to appropriate care setting for treatment. The Department, the HSE and I are committed to ensuring that every person receives the right care in the right place at the right time. Our policy, Sharing the Vision, includes specific recommendations for forensic mental health services. The emphasis in Sharing the Vision is on ensuring that every person with mental health difficulties coming into contact with the forensic system will have access to comprehensive tiered mental health support.”
“I would not want to legislate for this because I would have to write another section into the Bill to say it is okay that a child could be an inpatient in an adult unit. That is not there. I do not want to legislate for it, and I do not want to legislate for a provision up to 72 hours. I want to get to a situation where that does not happen. I encourage people, if they really are concerned about it, to speak to a parent whose child went in overnight to save their life because I have spoken to them.”
“The statistics do not lie, and I see these cases the whole time. I have spent so much time debating this piece in the Dáil and the Seanad. I meet organisations. I meet the ombudsman. I meet Mental Health Reform and so many different organisations, whether the college of psychiatry or the Psychological Society of Ireland. I acknowledge everybody who is here. I thank them for following this the whole way through. They have been great like that, but I just cannot move on this. The Senator is a reasonable person, and I am a reasonable person. I try to work with Members and never come in with a closed mind in relation to amendments, but I have never felt more strongly about anything in my entire life.”
“I know that. I have read the amendment, and I understand where the Senators are coming from, but in fairness they have to look at the reality in 2026 and not the reality in 2008 when we had 247 children. I do not believe we need to pre-empt a Minister of State following in my footsteps, whoever it will be and whenever that happens. This is policy embedded in the Department of Health and the HSE. This is policy that is embedded in any approved centre in Ireland, whether public, private or voluntary. This is policy that nobody wants to see a young person there. We then get to the stage like where we are going now, where 16-year-olds, when this Bill is enacted, will be able to make decisions about their own mental health. Every young person we are talking about is 17-plus. We are not talking about ten-, 11-, 12- or 13-year-olds.”
“There is no place in the Bill at the moment that legislates to allow a child into an adult unit. If I legislate for that, I am afraid it will make it the norm. It is not me. I am driving it from a policy level, but I have to thank all the clinicians, doctors, nurses and everybody who works in mental health and inpatient units. They are driving this. They do not want it either. I engage all the time with clinicians. I say every day of the week that I do not have a clinician's background, but I have lived experience. I am a mother and I had a child in the care of CAMHS for two years. We have to look at the reality of it. I just feel that if I write a provision up to 72 hours into it, it will mainstream it such that we are going to allow it up to 72 hours. I want to see a situation where that-----”