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 le…

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 Societ…

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.

I move amendment No. 17: In page 14, line 36, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.

I move amendment No. 21: In page 16, line 1, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.

I move amendment No. 26: In page 17, line 9, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.

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 re…

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.

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.

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.

I move amendment No. 38: In page 22, line 31, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.

I move amendment No. 39: In page 22, lines 38 and 39, to delete “mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.

I move amendment No. 40: In page 23, line 7, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.

I move amendment No. 41: In page 23, line 17, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.

I move amendment No. 42: In page 23, line 31, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.

I move amendment No. 47: In page 24, lines 39 and 40, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.

I move amendment No. 48: In page 25, line 8, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”

I move amendment No. 50: In page 26, line 15, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.

I move amendment No. 52: In page 26, line 32, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.

I move amendment No. 55: In page 27, lines 9 and 10, to delete “a mental disorder” and substitute “mental health difficulties”.