Vol. 473 No. 3
66 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the new Mental Health Bill; and if there will be any changes in it from the policies outlined in the White Paper entitled A New Mental Health Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25063/96]
Limerick East): The Government formally approved the draft Heads and general scheme of a new Mental Health Bill in July 1996. The Bill is currently being drafted with the assistance of the Office of the Attorney General and it is my intention to publish it at the earliest possible date in 1997.
The White Paper entitled A New Mental Health Act, published in July 1995, outlined the Government's proposals relating to the content of new mental health legislation. I explained at the time of the launch of the White Paper that publication of the Government's proposals provided a further opportunity for parties to examine proposed legislative provisions before the enactment of legislation.
I am glad to say there was general support expressed for the approach outlined in the White Paper. The extensive consultation on the proposed legislation proved fruitful from the point of view of achieving the widest possible consensus on the content of new mental health legislation. Any changes to the proposals outlined in the White Paper are likely to be minor in nature.
