Vol. 441 No. 3
91 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Health in view of the publication in the year 1991 of the Green Paper on mental health when he will introduce legislation to update the 1965 Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Green Paper on the Development of services for the mentally ill and new mental health legislation was published in June 1992. The Green Paper was circulated widely to provide an opportunity for interested parties to submit views on new mental health legislation proposals. My Department received approximately 100 submissions on the Green Paper. These submissions have been examined by my Department to establish the broadest possible degree of consensus in relation to proposals for a new mental health Act. It is my intention to publish a White Paper detailing the Government's decisions in relation to new mental health legislation later this year.
I can assure the Deputy that a new mental health Bill will be introduced as soon as possible.
