Vol. 405 No. 3
286 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Health if he will sign the order introducing legislation under the Health (Mental Services) Act, 1981, in order that the many loop-holes in the existing legal situation be blocked off, thus ending heartache for a lot of people in this country.
My Department are currently reviewing all aspects of mental health legislation including the provisions of the Health (Mental Services) Act, 1981. Following this review and consultations with interested parties, it is my intention to put forward proposals for new mental health legislation which will protect the interests of patients and facilitate the development of community psychiatric services as recommended in the report on the Development of Psychiatric Services —Planning for the Future.
