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Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Dec 2015

Vol. 244 No. 6

Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013: Committee Stage

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, back to the House. She is a very frequent visitor.

Section 1 agreed to.
SECTION 2
Government amendment No. 1:
In page 10, to delete lines 18 to 20.

I propose to delete the definition of "appointer". It is a consequential technical amendment that should have been made in tandem with an amendment made to the definition of "relevant person" on Report Stage in the Dáil. References to "appointer" were deleted from the definition of relevant person and, as such, a definition of "appointer" is no longer required in the general interpretation section.

This seems to be a fairly technical matter. As I understand it, the word "appointer" has been deleted from the main text of the Bill. Is that correct?

Therefore, there is no need for a definition in the Bill for somebody who does not take part. That is fine. However, I will say this only once to the Minister of State. This whole Bill is dreadful in a sense. I do not blame the Minister of State. I blame the Department and the draftspeople. This is the third or fourth time we have had Government legislation with several hundred Government amendments after it has been passed by the Dáil. I never recall anything like this previously in nearly 30 years in Seanad Éireann. There is always a big rush coming up to Christmas, but I never remember anything like this.

There were more than 300 amendments to the Legal Services Regulation Bill, including amendments to amendments that were made a week previously. It is horrendously bad conduct of business. Here is another one with a couple of hundred Government amendments. I know that some of them just remove one word such as getting rid of "to" in "to appoint". For God's sake, those are such obvious drafting matters that they really should have been taken care of before the Bill was presented to the Dáil. If they were not, surely to God, they should have been amended in Dáil Éireann. However, on the other hand, of course, what a wonderful thing that we managed to preserve Seanad Éireann. Where would the Minister of State be without the Seanad? Where would her 200 and something amendments be? They would be floating around in mid-air and she would have to go back to the Dáil and do all kinds of high jumps and I do not know what else.

I am making a protest on behalf of doing good business. I ask the Minister of State to take it back to the draftspeople and her colleagues and all the rest of it. I see absolutely no reason for this Gadarene rush every single Christmas. That is bad enough, but to have three or four Bills with a couple of hundred Government amendments after being through the Dáil and, in the case of one of the others, through the Seanad and amended in committee to be followed by 300 Report Stage amendments is absolutely unheard of and scandalous.

That is all I shall say on the matter. I feel it very deeply. We should do our business in a proper and business-like manner that allows everybody participate and has the orderly progress of legislation through both Houses of the Oireachtas. I make it clear that I am not pinning personal responsibility on the Minister of State. It is a feature across Departments and seems to particularly hit the Department of Justice and Equality - for what reason I just do not know. I believe this is also a Department of Justice and Equality Bill. This is the third Bill we have had from the Department of Justice and Equality. I rest my case.

Senator David Norris has tabled some good amendments to the Bill. However, I want to approach this matter from the other side. He is saying that if people come with good ideas after a Bill is published, the Minister cannot listen to anything after it is passed in the Dáil, end of story. Having the Seanad leaves the Minister open to accepting good amendments when they come.

That is a fact and I hope-----

It is not. Many of the amendments are drafting amendments.

I hope some of the Senator's amendments will be accepted.

We are on amendment No. 1.

That is putting the other side of the story that the Minister listens and the drafters have to listen to the Minister.

It is all fiction.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendments Nos. 2, 7, 19, 20, 69, 77, 143 to 146, inclusive, 148 and 170 to 193, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed?

It is not agreed because how could we possibly deal with that number of amendments. How many are there? Can you count them? It is about 25 amendments.

All of the amendments are related.

They are related, but how-----

This is Committee Stage, not Report Stage. The Senator will be given ample time to contribute.

We are still supposed to discuss them.

May I come in on one amendment?

Are we agreeing to discuss all of them together?

Senators

Agreed.

The Minister of State will speak on behalf of the Government. There is no need for the Senator to-----

Is it agreed?

I want to have a vote on the issue.

We cannot have a vote on it.

We do not want to divide the House on the issue of whether we should discuss a number of amendments that are related.

Therefore, you are separating them now.

If the House wishes to discuss all of them together, we will have to go with the wishes of the House.

Have you ascertained that the House wishes to do that?

That all of the amendments be discussed-----

Can you clarify something for me? I am a bit of a novice here and perhaps a slow learner. On Committee Stage, is it not still possible, even if amendments are grouped, for someone to speak to a specific amendment, if he or she so wishes?

The Senator can come in and out as often as he wants.

As I said, perhaps I am a slow learner.

I have made that case. Is it agreed that all of the amendments may be discussed together? Is Senator David Norris opposing that proposal?

I reserve my position. I will let it go, but it is utterly stupid to have so many amendments being discussed together.

Government amendment No. 2:
In page 10, to delete lines 23 and 24 and substitute the following:
“ “attorney” has the meaning assigned to it by section 51(1);
“attorney under the Act of 1996” means a person appointed under an enduring power under the Act of 1996;”.

I say to Senator David Norris that this is the Bill on which we have probably consulted the most widely. People in the Visitors Gallery will be conscious of that fact. It was a long time in drafting. It is reasonable to say it is an entirely different Bill from the one with which we started. It does not look anything like it did at the outset and even at this stage there are still amendments to be made. This legislation will affect each and every one of us in whatever position or circumstances we find ourselves at different stages of our lives and I hope it will be to our benefit.

I am sure it will, but I would like to make a point.

The Senator cannot come in.

There is a series of amendments where the word "the" is deleted and "an" is introduced. This should have been obvious from day one in the drafting of the Bill.

The Senator can make that point when he speaks to the amendment.

There is a rake of amendments to delete the words "to advise" and substitute "advise". Those are things which should have been observed at a much earlier stage.

Will the Senator, please, let the Minister of State respond?

I am not having hogwash delivered all over me to try to persuade me that this is an appropriate Bill.

Will the Senator, please, allow the Minister of State to respond?

There is no need for the Senator to talk about it at all.

In addressing amendments Nos. 2, 7,19 20, 69, 77, 143 to 145, inclusive, 148 and 170 to 193, inclusive, as outlined by the Cathaoirleach, I am proposing a suite of amendments to Part 7 of the Bill which provides for enduring powers of attorney. The provisions on enduring powers of attorney have remained for the most part untouched since the Bill was published in July 2013. Part 7 largely restates the provisions of Part 2 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1996. The proposed amendments are required to align the provisions with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and current international best practice. The proposed amendments are also required for textual consistency and alignment with the rest of the Bill. The House will see that many of the proposed new sections mirror provisions already in other parts of the Bill.

The amendments will strengthen the safeguards against attorneys acting outside the authority given to them, address potential risks of abuse and exploitation of donors and increase protection for the rights of donors. The proposed amendments provide for attorneys to be accountable and held responsible for their actions. I am proposing to delete sections 50 to 64, inclusive, and replace them with a revised, simplified text and additional sections that provide for more detailed provision in relation to reports by attorneys, complaints against attorneys and offences relating to enduring powers of attorney.

Some of the new sections specify requirements such as notification requirements that would otherwise be left to regulations and were included in Schedules 1 and 2 to the Bill. Thus the main requirements for executing and registering enduring powers of attorney are now contained in primary legislation.

One of the main substantive changes to Part 7 is that the director will not register enduring powers which have been created under the 1996 Act but have yet to be registered. I have received legal advice stating it would not be possible for the director to register these enduring powers under this Bill. They will have to be registered under the 1996 Act by the Office of the Wards of Court, which is the current system. However, the attorneys appointed under these enduring powers and all other powers registered under the 1996 Act will be subject to the new complaints and offences provision I am proposing to insert by way of amendments Nos. 188 and 192. I believe the number of executed but not yet registered enduring powers under the 1996 Act will be small.

Amendment No. 2 revises the definition of "attorney" in line with the amendments to Part 7.

Amendment No. 7 is similar to amendment No. 2 in that it revises the definition of "enduring power of attorney" in line with the proposed amendment to Part 7. It also inserts a definition for "enduring power" under the 1996 Act which is now required as a result of the proposed amendment to Part 7.

Amendments Nos. 19 and 20 propose to delete the cross-references to Part 7 and Schedules 1 and 2. This is to enable jurisdiction for enduring powers of attorney to be transferred from the High Court to the Circuit Court. The proposal to transfer jurisdiction to the Circuit Court is intended to enable cases relating to enduring powers of attorney to have the benefit of the specialist judges who will be dealing with the majority of matters arising under this Bill. It is also intended to reduce costs for applicants in the interests of encouraging more people to draw up enduring powers of attorney. These remain a good means for the person to express his or her will and preference in terms of who should take decisions on his or her behalf if he or she subsequently loses capacity.

Amendment No. 69 clarifies that a co-decision making agreement will be null and void if there is an enduring power of attorney in force, registered either under the Bill's provisions or the 1996 Act.

Amendment No. 77 clarifies that the disqualification of a co-decision maker if he or she has an enduring power of attorney registered in respect of him or her includes enduring powers of attorney registered under the 1996 Act.

Amendments Nos. 143 to 146, inclusive, amend subsections (9) and (10) of section 33 which allow a person who is the subject of an application to be assisted in court by a court friend if he or she is not legally represented or does not have a decision-making assistant, co-decision maker, decision-making representative, attorney, designated health care representative or other person willing to assist him or her with the proceedings. The amendments clarify that the attorney can be appointed under the Bill or under the 1996 Act.

Amendment No. 148 proposes to delete subsection 34(3) which provides that the court cannot make a declaration as to whether a person lacks capacity to make or revoke an enduring power of attorney. This subsection was inserted in the Bill in order to avoid a person having to go to court routinely to get a declaration of capacity in respect of the making or revoking of an enduring power. A statement from a medical professional and another health care professional on the capacity of the donor is deemed sufficient. However, in drafting the new provisions on objections, complaints and offences under Part 7, it became apparent that the court may have to assess the donor’s capacity in order to investigate an objection, complaint or offence and it could not do so if subsection 34(3) remained in the Bill.

Amendment No. 170 inserts a new section 50. The current section 50 is being deleted and replaced by revised text as part of the overall amendment of the enduring powers of attorney provisions. The interpretation section of Part 7 has been streamlined and provides a definition of key terms in the revised sections of Part 7.

I just want to make the point again-----

As this will take a while, might I just-----

An tAire Stáit to conclude.

Amendment No. 171 inserts a new section 51. The new section 51 sets out what is an enduring power of attorney, who may appoint an attorney, what authority can be conferred in an enduring power and how the authority must be conferred. It reflects provisions in sections 52(2) and (5), 54(2) and 55(1) of the Bill as passed by Dáil Éireann. Subsection (2) provides that an enduring power must be conferred in writing in an instrument which is compliant with the other provisions of the Part and regulations made by the Minister for that purpose. Subsection (3) provides that an attorney may, in the instrument creating the enduring power, appoint an alternate attorney should the original attorney die, be disqualified or is no longer able to carry out his or her duties as an attorney.

Subsection (4) provides that the enduring power will not come into force until the donor lacks capacity in one or more of the relevant decisions which are the subject of the power and the instrument that created the power is registered in accordance with new section 61. Subsection (5) equates to section 54(2) of the Bill as passed by Dáil Éireann and provides that where general authority is conferred by a donor on an attorney in respect of property and affairs, the attorney has the authority to do anything on behalf of the donor that the donor can lawfully do.

Subsection (6) sets out who is suitable for appointment. The attorney must be capable of performing the functions of attorney as specified in the enduring power of attorney.

On a point of order, I think this section is grammatically inappropriate. The Minister of State actually said "capable of". In the amendment I have it reads that a person is suitable for appointment as an attorney if he or she is "able of performing". That is nonsense.

That is not a point of order. The Senator can amend the wording on Report Stage.

Is capable of-----

I beg your pardon.

It is capable of being amended on Report Stage.

I am saying there is a mistake in the amendment. It is a technical mistake. I always thought that was covered by a point of order.

It is not a point of order. The Senator can address the matter on Report Stage through an amendment.

I would be interested to hear the Minister of State's comment because the amendment states clearly "if he or she is able of performing". That is nonsense.

Subsection (6) sets out who is suitable for appointment. The attorney must be capable of performing the functions of attorney, as specified in the enduring power of attorney. The Senator's amendment has a different wording. but I assume mine is correct.

The Minister of State is right. Why is it that the book of amendments submitted to us-----

As the Minister of State has read it, I imagine it should be-----

Why are the amendments as submitted to us-----

It can be amended on Report Stage.

Why are the amendments as submitted to us inappropriate?

The Minister of State has read the amendment.

Amendment No. 172 inserts a new section dealing with content of instrument creating an enduring power of attorney. The new section 52 sets out what has to be included in an instrument that creates an enduring power of attorney. Subsection (1) provides that the instrument must contain statements from the donor, a legal practitioner, a registered medical practitioner, a health care professional and the attorney in relation to various matters such as the capacity of the donor, that fraud of undue pressure was not used to create the enduring power and that the attorney is willing to undertake the functions of attorney under the power. The provisions were previously contained in section 52(4) which covered what might be included in regulations to be made by the Minister.

The new section 52 makes it obligatory to have such statements included in an instrument. It also provides for an additional safeguard by requiring statements by two different professionals as to the capacity of the donor to understand the implications of creating such an enduring power. One of the statements must be from a health care professional such as a social worker so as to not be too reliant on the medical assessment of capacity. Subsection (2) is a new provision specifying details that must be included in the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney that would otherwise be left to regulations.

Subsection (3) is a new provision which complements subsection (4). Subsections (3) and (4) mirror provisions introduced into the co-decision-making Part on Committee and Report Stages in the Dáil. The NDA advised that the Bill needed to provide for situations where, due to literacy issues, blindness, dexterity, etc., a person was unable to sign a document. The proposed provisions that will apply where a person cannot sign the document accords with advice that such a situation will require the combined input of the donor, the attorney, the substitute signatory and two witnesses.

Subsection (4) is a new provision which complements subsection (3). It tightens the provisions regarding the witnessing of an instrument creating an enduring power. Similar to section 14(7) in the co-decision-making Part, a further safeguard has been inserted which provides that an employee or agent of the attorney may not be a witness to an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney. It also requires that at least one of the witnesses not be an immediate family member of the donor or the attorney. The requirement that at least one witness not be an immediate family member is to provide an additional safeguard in order that an independent person must be involved as a witness. This is to reduce the risk of a donor being pushed by family members into conferring an enduring power of attorney against his or her wishes.

Subsection (5) is a new provision that requires a donor to specify in the instrument creating the enduring power if the attorney is to be paid for performing the functions of attorney, what functions he or she is to be paid for and how much he or she is to be paid.

For the purposes of clarity, subsection (6) provides a definition of immediate family member to include a spouse, civil partner, cohabitant, child, parent, step-parent, a grandparent, an aunt, uncle, nephew, niece or immediate in-laws of the appointer or co-decision-maker. The same definition is found in the corresponding subsections in Part 4 on co-decision-making and Part 8 on advance health care directives.

Amendment No 173 inserts a new section dealing with notice of execution of an enduring power of attorney. The new section 53 sets out the notification requirements in relation to the execution of an enduring power of attorney. It is a new provision that requires the donor to give notice of the execution of the power to all close family members such as a spouse and children over 18 years of age and any decision-making supporters that the donor may have such as a decision-making assistant or co-decision-maker. It also allows the donor to name two other persons whom he or she wishes to inform of the execution of the enduring power. The provisions in new section 53 specify requirements that would otherwise have been left to regulations.

Amendment No. 173 inserts a section dealing with scope of authority - personal welfare decisions.

That is amendment No. 174.

I beg the Senator's pardon.

I point out that there are 24 pages of amendments. We have already been here for about ten minutes with the Minister of State explaining these sections. They are not all as closely related as people think. How can one possibly keep up-----

We are discussing amendments Nos. 170 to 193 together.

Once amendment No. 174-----

There are 24 pages of amendments all being discussed together. I have never come across this before.

They are all related.

In fairness, we have never had legislation like this before and the Senator should take that into consideration.

We had three examples last week.

It is legislation on which there has been extensive consultation. What we are doing is amending it again to make sure we get it right. Just because the Senator and I have not done it before does not mean that it is not the right thing to do.

Yes, but some of the amendments are grammatical amendments. It should have been utterly obvious whenever the thing was-----

On the amendments, please.

Amendment No. 174 inserts a section dealing with scope of authority - personal welfare decisions. The new section 54 replicates subsections (2) to (7), inclusive, of section 53 of the Bill as passed by the Dáil. It sets out the scope of authority of an enduring power of attorney in relation to personal welfare matters. Subsection (1) sets out the limited conditions where an attorney may restrain a donor. As with all other interveners restraint by attorneys is to be tightly regulated and only used in limited circumstances. The situation has to be an exceptional emergency in which there is an imminent risk of serious harm to the donor or to another person.

Subsection (2) defines ‘‘restrains’’ for the purposes of this section. It includes the definition of chemical restraint in that definition. Restraint is deemed to apply when a person administers a medication with the intention of modifying or controlling the relevant person’s behaviour in order that the person will become compliant. This amendment was inserted on Report Stage in the Dáil.

Subsection (3) requires that the restraint be immediately ceased when no longer necessary to prevent the imminent risk of serious harm to donor. Subsection (4) provides that subsections (1) to (3) shall not constrain the generality of section 69 of the Mental Health Act 2001 or of rules made under that section.

Subsection (5) prevents a donor from authorising an attorney from making a decision relating to the refusal of life-sustaining treatment or from making a decision that is the subject of an advance health care directive by the donor.

Subsection (6) provides that if an enduring power contains a relevant decision relating to the refusal of life-sustaining treatment or a decision that is the subject of an advance health care directive, the power is null and void to the extent that it relates to that decision.

Amendment No. 175 inserts a section dealing with the scope of authority relating to property and affairs. New section 55 replicates, with minor amendments, section 54(3) to (5), inclusive, of the Bill as passed by Dáil Éireann. It sets out the scope of authority of an enduring power of attorney in relation to property and affairs. Subsection (1) provides that the attorney may, if specific provision to that effect is made in the power, act for his or her own benefit or that of any other person’s benefit to the extent provided for in the power. Subsections (2) and (3) cover the giving of gifts by the attorney on behalf of the donor. The donor must specify in the power that the attorney may give gifts, while subsection (3) limits these gifts to customary occasions and to persons, including the attorney, to whom the donor would have likely given gifts in the past. The value of the gifts must be reasonable, taking the circumstances of the donor into consideration.

Amendment No. 176 inserts a section dealing with the application of joint and joint several attorneys. New section 56 deals with the application of the Part to joint and several attorneys. The provisions in relation to joint and several attorneys were contained mainly in section 64 and the Second Schedule to the Bill as passed by Dáil Éireann. Subsection (1) allows a donor to appoint more than one attorney. The donor must specify in the enduring power of attorney whether such multiple appointments are made either jointly, jointly and severally, or jointly in some matters and severally in other matters.

Subsection (2) sets out what happens if one of the attorneys who was appointed to act jointly with another attorney is disqualified, dies or lacks capacity to carry out his or her duties as attorney. With regard to joint and several attorneys, where one dies, lacks capacity or is disqualified, the remaining attorney or attorneys may continue to act, unless the instrument creating the enduring power provides to the contrary.

Amendment No. 177 inserts a section dealing with persons who are not eligible to be attorneys. New section 57 equates to section 52(6) of the Bill as passed by Dáil Éireann. Section 52 deals with a number of issues relating to the characteristics of an enduring power and who may be appointed as an attorney. Subsection (1) sets out who is not eligible for appointment as attorney and replicates similar provisions in assisted decision-making, co-decision-making and advance health care directives. Subsection (2) replaces section 52(7) and prevents financial issues such as bankruptcy from being a barrier to being an attorney in respect of personal welfare matters.

Amendment No. 178 inserts a section on the disqualification of an attorney. New section 58 equates to section 52(7), (8), (10), (11) and (12). For clarity and consistency with other Parts of the Bill, the provisions relating to disqualification have been brought together in one section.

Amendment No. 179 inserts a new section on the functions of the court prior to registration. New section 59 replicates section 56. It enables the court, before the registration of the enduring power, to exercise powers it would have been able to exercise once a power had been registered, if it has reason to believe the donor may lack or shortly may lack capacity. An application to the court under this section may be made by any interested party whether the attorney has made an application for registration of the instrument.

Amendment No. 180 inserts a new section on application for registration of an instrument creating an enduring power. New section 60 replicates the existing section 57 and incorporates Schedule 1 to the Bill. However, additional text has been added to incorporate provisions that were to be provided for by way of regulations and to strengthen the safeguards against the premature or fraudulent registration of an enduring power. It sets out the obligations placed on the attorney when he or she has reason to believe the donor lacks capacity in relation to one or more relevant decisions which are the subject of the enduring power. Subsection (1) provides that an attorney must make an application to register the instrument creating the power of attorney as soon as he or she believes the donor lacks capacity.

Subsection (2) provides that the application for registration shall be made in a form that is to be prescribed by the Minister. The fee to accompany the application shall also be prescribed in regulations. Subsection (3) requires the attorney to notify specified persons of the fact that he or she is applying to the director to register the enduring power of attorney. The list of those who have to be notified mirrors the list contained in new section 53 which lists those who have to be notified of the execution of an enduring power. Currently, section 57 and Schedule 1 to the Bill replicate the provisions of notification found in the 1996 Powers of Attorney Act. The provisions and the accompanying regulations have been a source of confusion and conflict in recent years. In order to simplify and to provide protection against premature or fraudulent registration, I propose that all close family members be notified by the attorney that he or she intends to register the enduring power. Those notified will then have the opportunity to object to the registration if they are of the opinion that the attorney is not suitable or that undue pressure was placed on the donor to choose the appointed attorney. The amended notification provisions in this new section, coupled with the new notification requirements at execution stage, should, I hope, ensure all of those who need to be informed of an enduring power of attorney are notified.

Subsection (4) replicates section 57(3). It provides that the attorney may, before applying to register the enduring power of attorney, apply to the court for a determination in relation to the validity of the power. Subsection (5) replicates section 55(2). It allows an attorney, once he or she has applied for registration, to take action under the enduring power to maintain the donor, to prevent loss to the donor’s estate, to maintain the attorney or other persons so far as the donor might be expected to do so or to make a personal welfare decision that cannot be reasonably deferred until the application has been determined.

Subsection (6) is a new provision that requires an attorney who has taken action under subsection (5) to report these actions to the director. Subsection (7) sets out what needs to accompany the application to register an instrument creating an enduring power. Similar to the requirement in relation to the execution of an enduring power of attorney, statements on the donor’s lack of capacity will now be required from two different professionals, one of whom must be a health care professional such as a social worker.

On a point of order, it is very difficult to hear the Minister of State. This is extremely important legislation.

We are trying to get agreement on holding votes.

I know, but the time for talking was before the debate began.

The Minister of State should be allowed to speak without interruption.

We will not say anything more.

The Minister of State should be allowed to speak without interruption.

This shows the difficulty in dealing with so many amendments in this way. I am trying to understand the legislation as it goes through the House and it is extremely difficult because we are referring to sections not included in the Bill, as it stands. There are further proposed hypothetical amendments. I am trying to understand the Bill in order that I can do a good job as a legislator. I am sorry if my whispering distressed Senator thingamajig.

To be fair, a Chathaoirligh, we almost had agreement.

Excuse me, Senator thingamajig has a name.

I could not remember it. Tell me what it is.

The Minister of State should be allowed to speak without interruption.

Members can speak as often as they wish.

My point is that the discussions could have been held previously.

Subsection (8) sets out what will happen in relation to registration if more than one attorney is appointed under an enduring power of attorney.

To be of help to Senator David Norris, the entire section is about the enduring power of attorney.

Unfortunately, because there is a possibility it could be challenged, we have had to ensure there are safeguards in place. Because we will be moving to a new system, it is important we get it right in order that we will not face a challenge. Perhaps it might have been better to explain this at the outset.

I completely accept that and understand the good intentions of the Minister of State. However, there are so many matters involved and differences between them.

The entire section is about the enduring power of attorney.

Amendment No. 181 inserts a new section - registration of an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney. The new section 61 replicates section 58(1) of the Bill and provides in more detail for how the director shall review an application for registration. It also provides additional provisions incorporating an appeals mechanism in relation to the decisions of the director on the registration of an enduring power. Subsection (1) lists the criteria that the director must consider when reviewing an application to register an enduring power.

Subsection (2) provides that, subject to any objection received, where the director is satisfied that the application is in order, he or she shall register the instrument creating the power.

Subsection (3) provides that, where the director is not satisfied that all is in order with an application, he or she shall notify the attorney and the donor of his or her view and give the attorney and the donor the opportunity to respond. This is a new provision that allows the attorney or donor to provide further material or evidence to back up the application for registration because we cannot rule out the possibility of vexatious complaints about who is chosen.

Subsection (4) is complementary to the new subsection (3). Following the receipt of further information or material as provided for in subsection (3), the director can do one of two things - register the instrument if he or she if satisfied that the criteria listed in subsection (1) have been met or refuse to register the instrument because the criteria are not deemed to have been met.

Subsection (5) is a new provision. It provides for an appeals mechanism for an attorney whose application to register is refused. The attorney has 21 days from the time he or she is notified that the application has been refused to appeal the decision of the director to the court.

Subsection (6) is a new provision and complementary to subsection (5). It sets out what the court may do upon an appeal under subsection (5). It may require the director to register the instrument, or affirm the director’s decision to refuse to register it or make an order or declaration, as it considers appropriate.

Subsections (7) and (8) provide for the director to supply an authenticated copy of the instrument to the attorney and the donor. The copies authenticated by the director will be evidence of the contents of the instrument and the date it came into force. New section 60(3) provides that the attorney shall send them copies of the enduring power of attorney when notifying them of his or her intention to register the power.

Amendment No. 182 inserts a new section – effect and proof of registration. The new section 62 replicates section 59(1) and (2). Subsection (1) provides that once an instrument has been registered, a revocation of power will not be valid unless it is confirmed by the court. A disclaimer by the attorney will not be valid except on notice to the donor and with the consent of the court. Once registration has taken place, the donor cannot extend or restrict the power, nor can he or she give a valid consent or instruction by which the attorney will be bound. Subsection (2) provides that subsection (1) applies for so long as the instrument is registered, regardless of whether the donor lacks capacity for the time being.

Amendment No. 183 inserts a new section – objections to registration. The new section 63 replicates and expands on section 58(2), (3), (4) and (5) of the Bill as passed by Dáil Éireann. It allows for objections to be made to the registration of an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney. It also provides for additional provisions that set out a mechanism by which the decisions of the director on whether an objection is well founded can be appealed to the court.

Subsection (2) sets out the grounds on which an objection to the registration of an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney may be made. It also allows for the possibility of a fee being charged which will help to filter out frivolous or vexatious objections. Section 46 of the Bill, as published, contains some similar provisions. Subsection (3) sets out the required actions of the director in regard to objections, while subsection (4) sets out the role of the courts in this regard. Subsection (5) provides that a person may appeal the decision of the director that his or her objection was not well founded to the court, while subsection (6) sets out the role of the court in this regard.

Amendment No. 184 inserts a new section – register of enduring powers. The new section 64 replicates section 60(1), (2) and (3) of the Bill as passed by Dáil Éireann. It mirrors similar revised provisions in regard to other registers maintained by the director. Subsections (1) and (2) require the director to maintain, in such form as he or she considers appropriate, a register of enduring powers of attorney that have been registered by him or her.

Subsection (3) revises the current provision that provides for the register to be open to inspection by the public. With a view to the need for data protection, particularly as enduring powers of attorney are essentially private arrangements between individuals, it is not considered appropriate to make the register open to the general public. Where it is necessary for a person or a body to know of the existence of an enduring power or to have access to some or all of its contents, the director will allow the appropriate level of access.

Subsection (4) allows the director to issue an authenticated copy of an enduring power or part thereof to a body or class of persons that shall be designated by regulation. Subsection (5) provides for the maintaining of a record of those who have had access to the register or who have been sent an authenticated copy of an enduring power.

Amendment No. 185 inserts a new section – revocation and variation of enduring power. The new section 65 replicates and expands on the current section 62 of the Bill. Additional subsections provide for provisions that were to be provided for by regulation. Subsection (1) clarifies that where a donor has capacity, an enduring power of attorney may be varied or revoked anytime prior to its registration. Subsection (2) provides that the variation or revocation must be done in such form as prescribed by the Minister. Subsections (3) and (4) set out the administration requirements for the variation and revocation of an enduring power of attorney by a donor. It is not necessary for the donor to go to court to revoke an enduring power that has not been registered. Subsections (5) and (6) provide that a donor may revoke an enduring power that has been registered if he or she has the capacity to do so. However, the court must confirm the revocation for it to be valid.

Amendment No. 186 inserts a new section – disclaimer by attorney. The new section 66 replicates section 52(14). It provides that a disclaimer of an enduring power that has not been registered by the attorney will not be valid except on notice to the donor. A disclaimer of an enduring power that has been registered by the attorney will not be valid except with the consent of the court.

Amendment No. 187 inserts a new section – reports by attorneys. The new section 67 replicates and expands on section 60(4) of the Bill as passed by Dáil Éireann. It provides for greater oversight of attorneys by the director, especially in regard to the financial affairs of donors. Subsection (1) is a new provision that requires an attorney who has been given the authority by the donor to make decisions on his or her property and affairs to submit within three months of the registration of the enduring power a schedule of the donor’s assets and liabilities and projected statement of the donor’s income and expenditure to the director.

This is good practice on behalf of the attorney because he or she will need to be aware of the donor's incomings and outgoings in order to effectively manage the donor's property and affairs. It also ensures the director is made aware of any substantial estates that may require closer oversight.

Subsection (2) requires the attorney to keep proper accounts and that such accounts be available for inspection by the director or special visitor.

Subsection (3) requires the attorney under a registered enduring power to submit a report as to the performance of his or her functions under the enduring power to the director within 12 months. Subsection (4) provides that reports submitted by the attorney must be in a form to be prescribed by the Minister and must include details of all expenses and remuneration paid or to be claimed by the attorney.

Subsections (6) to (8), inclusive, are new provisions that set out what must happen when an attorney does not comply with his or her reporting obligations. This includes a provision that allows the court to determine that the attorney should no longer act as attorney for the donor concerned. Subsection (9) defines the term “relevant period”.

Subsections (10) and (11) are new provisions that apply the reporting obligations set out in this section to attorneys of enduring power that had been created under the 1996 Act but have not been registered yet.

Subsections (12) and (13) are also new provisions that provide that the functions of the director, the investigations of the director and the appointment of special and general visitors by the director in relation to the reporting obligations of an attorney include attorneys and owners under enduring powers created under the 1996 Act.

Amendment No. 188 inserts a new section 68 - complaints in relation to attorneys - into Part 7 of the Bill. The new section mirrors section 27 which deals with complaints against co-decision-makers. It sets out new provisions enabling complaints about the suitability or conduct of attorneys. Complaints against attorneys appointed under the Bill and attorneys appointed under the 1996 Act may be investigated by the director under this section. Provision is made here for the director, having satisfied himself or herself that a complaint is well founded, to apply to court for a determination. An additional safeguard is provided by allowing the director to investigate a matter and bring it to court notwithstanding that no complaint has been received.

Amendment No 189 inserts a new section 6 - applications to court. Subsection (1) sets out what the court may do where the director makes an application to it in relation to whether he or she should register an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney. Subsection (2) sets out the criteria that the court must take into consideration when determining if an attorney is suitable for appointment as an attorney.

Subsection (3) replicates section 61(2). The court can determine the meaning or effect of the instrument. The court may give directions with respect to the personal affairs and the management or disposal of the donor’s property or affairs. It can also decide on the rendering of accounts and the production of records kept by the attorney and the remuneration and expenses of the attorney and consent to a disclaimer by the attorney.

Subsection (4) replicates subsection (3) of section 61. It sets out the circumstances in which the court must notify the director of its directions, requirements, consent or authorisation made under subsection (3) and requires the director to monitor the giving of effect of such directions, requirements, etc., by the attorney.

On a point of order, I know the work the Minister of State has put into this, but why did we not receive a copy of her notes? It is very hard for her to read them and it is very hard for us to take in the provisions outlined because we did not get time to read them. I accept almost all of what the Minister of State is saying, but is there a reason we did not receive her notes beforehand?

It would not be normal practice on Committee Stage to circulate a Minister’s notes.

It would not be normal practice to relate 100 amendments.

It would make life easier, but I do not make the rules on these matters.

When the group goes over five or six amendments, we cannot take it in.

It is and we need to keep in mind that this is all on one particular issue but a very important one.

It is not really. One could make an argument for separating out the amendment dealing with complaints about attorneys.

Perhaps we should have a rule that if a group includes more than a certain number of amendments, the notes should be circulated.

Amendment No 190 inserts a new section 70 - removal of instrument from the register. It mirrors provisions in section 26 that deal with the removal of co-decision-making agreements from the register following revocation. Subsection (1) sets out the circumstances in which the director shall remove from the register of enduring powers an instrument that has been revoked or where the attorney has been disqualified. Subsection (2) sets out what happens in regard to the register when there is more than one attorney appointed under the enduring power of attorney or where the donor has nominated an alternative attorney.

Amendment No 191 inserts a new section 71 - regulations. The new section pulls together in one section the matters that must be prescribed by the Minister. These are currently scattered throughout the Part.

Amendment No. 192 inserts a new section 72 - offences in regard to enduring powers of attorney. It mirrors similar sections in the co-decision-making and the advance health care directives parts. A person who uses fraud, coercion or undue influence to force another person to make, vary or revoke an enduring power will be guilty of an offence. A person who makes a statement in connection with the creation or registration of instrument creating an enduring power which he or she knows to be false will also be guilty of an offence. This is an important protection for a donor.

Amendment No. 193 inserts a new section - transitional provisions. The new section 73 provides for the transitional arrangements between the Bill and the Powers of Attorney Act 1996. It provides that, following the commencement of this Part, no further enduring powers of attorney may be created under the 1996 Act. That is straightforward.

I am afraid I do not see any reason for applause. This is a bad evening’s work.

The Minister of State had to read through the amendments.

We applaud her endurance.

Yes, on a human level, but what about the endurance of the House? It is not to be applauded on a legislative level. As Senators demonstrated by their comments, the Minister of State showed some signs of physical stress in reading all this and one’s heart goes out to her. We have had nearly an hour of her. The amendments compose almost the heart of the entire Bill. They account for 22 pages out of 55. That is half the physical number of amendments. This is a huge swathe to take in one gulp. One could not really take it in. With the greatest respect, the Minister of State made a couple of errors in numbering and so on. What can we as ordinary Senators do about this? It is a real difficulty. I sincerely hope no legislation of this kind will be introduced again ever in the Seanad.

It is very important to consult people and it is welcome that the Bill has been amended in consultation, although not as fully as some of us would like, but there is no excuse for the kind of grammatical amendments being made two years later after it has been passed by the Dáil. They should have been spotted straightaway. It is a grotesque offence to Seanad Éireann that these kinds of drafting error are sustained in the Bill and have to be addressed at this stage.

I have some comments on the amendments as I followed them. I apologise to Senator Mary Moran if I interrupted her, but I was desperately trying to find out exactly where these things fitted in because some do not deal with sections in the Bill or the amendments.

They are all over the place and it is impossible to find out what section is qualifying another. I was trying to figure this out in order that I could do my job here.

Amendment No. 171 indicates "Subject to the provisions of this section ... a person who has attained the age of 18 years ... may appoint one or more suitable persons" to act as an attorney. What about people under that age? What about somebody who is 17 and a half yers, for example? Will the Minister of State reassure us that the guardian ad litem will be called into play for minors? They should certainly have some protection as they are more vulnerable than an adult. We are talking about people who have attained the age of 18 years but what about people who are under 18?

Amendment No. 184 deals with the register of enduring powers and subsection (2) indicates "The Register shall be in such form as the Director considers appropriate". I wonder what that means. Does it mean it should be in a ledger or in a computer? Does it give overwhelming power to the director to say that it can be done whatever way he or she likes? I would have thought that a register of enduring powers of attorney would be a factual matter. It is clear what it should include. I am not sure what it means by "in such form as the Director considers appropriate".

This is an enormous bulk of material to consider and it means that virtually half of the Bill is to be discussed in one go.

It is half the amendments.

Yes and they deal with a large swathe of the Bill. They could have been separated. For example, amendment No. 188 relates to complaints about attorneys. It seems there is a certain degree of separation in that issue and it deserves to be teased out separately. This is really pushing at the last minute to get legislation through. It is a very bad process as it minimises our capacity to concentrate our critical scrutiny on legislation and bring out points that need amending.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I share the frustration of Senator David Norris. In fairness to him, we have had a number of Bills through the House in the past week and a half with hundreds of amendments coming at the last minute. As legislators, we can see amendments replacing sections and the discussion is on the new sections. It can be very confusing, especially as these numbered amendments only came to us at 11.59 p.m. last night. As none of us picked up our e-mails until this morning, it has been quite a challenge to try to get through the amendments.

I want to be specific about issues that have been raised, particularly with regard to advance health care directives. My understanding is these have been affected by the grouping of amendments to which we are speaking. They relate to changes to sections 59 and 60 of the Bill as passed by the Dáil. There are concerns being raised with me about advance health care directives and the provisions are causing a great deal of concern among mental health service users. They feel their human rights will not be respected on an equal basis with others if the treatment choices of those detained under mental health legislation are excluded from the Bill.

I note that the Minister of State is seeking to amend the mental health legislation around the issue of electro-convulsive therapy, ECT, and other harmful treatments, where people are found to be unable to consent, which is to be welcomed. It will only occur if there is a legally binding advance health care directive allowing patients to consent or refuse treatment in advance. It is believed the changes suggested may affect the issue around advance health care directives. I note that Dr. Fiona Morrissey from the National University of Ireland, Galway, has raised the issue and she states:

The impending legislative provisions discriminate against anyone who may experience mental distress. Given that one in four of us experiences some form of mental distress during our lifetime, any one of us could find ourselves in a position where we become emotionally overwhelmed due to some form of life event and end up in a crisis situation where we are excluded from making decisions in relation to our treatment under this legislation. The proposed legislation specifically excludes the use of legally binding advance health care directives for the treatment choices of those who may be subject to involuntary detention under the Mental Health Act 2001.

Dr. Morrissey believes this is clearly discriminatory under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which the Government is planning to ratify in the near future. The use of differential standards in the legislation reinforces the notion that the preferences of individuals who may experience mental distress are not respected on an equal basis with others and reinforces stigma. In its general comment on Article 12, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has stated state parties have an obligation to require all health and medical professionals, including psychiatric professionals, to obtain the free and informed consent of persons with disabilities prior to any treatment. She also argues that advance health care directives are legally binding during involuntary detention in a number of other jurisdictions, including Germany, and a number of US states and Canadian provinces. Advocacy organisations have urged that laws on advance directives for mental health treatment decisions should operate in exactly the same way as other directives, subject only to legitimate emergency situations, such as when there is an imminent threat to life or others.

The question is about seeking clarification. As Senator David Norris stated, with the grouping and gamut of amendments, we need specific discussion of this issue of advance health care directives. People are concerned that these are being specifically excluded. Will the Minister of State clarify this? Will they be omitted and, if so, what is the rationale for leaving them out in the light of this international opinion?

It is very hard not to share the concerns of my two colleagues, Senators David Norris and Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, with respect to the sheer volume of amendments. The grouping of amendments might need examination in the context of parliamentary reform. There is probably a logic in having a maximum number that may be discussed in one amendment grouping. That said, it appears that these amendments are related, diverse as they may be. They deal with wards of court and that has never been dealt with. Long before any of us were around here, in the 1800s, the legislation governing wards of court was in place. I do not follow the royal family in England, but it was probably Queen Victoria who was in charge. People who needed assistive capacity did not have any money, resources, rights or dignity. This is ensuring people who need assistive capacity have all those rights and their money is treated with respect. It is about ensuring their rights are not impugned in any way. It is welcome that we have substantial amendments, as they are to improve the legislation. I am sure many issues were identified, not just by colleagues in the Dáil but by officials and people drafting the Bill, as it is such pioneering and ground-breaking legislation. No Government in Irish history has made an effort to tackle it.

With colleagues such as Senators Ivana Bacik and Denis O'Donovan, among others, I was a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality that held exhaustive hearings and made significant recommendations in this area. The Minister of State is correct. I am a novice in the Seanad. Senator David Norris has been here for 20 years or longer.

It is nearly 30 years.

In my very brief period I have not come across any legislation that has changed for the better, even in terms of language or the Title, more than this, with consultation with stakeholders and interested parties. We have seen an imperfect presentation tonight in terms of groupings and so on, but what we will have is legislation that is as close to perfect as is humanly possible to ensure dignity and rights are enshrined in law.

We all know that money is the root of all evil. With respect to people who need assisted decision making, we must make sure their money is protected and respected by the State as much as it is possible for it to do that. While it is not perfect, I sincerely hope this House will not divide on these issues of great importance to citizens who need our support and assistance.

I will be brief as it is important that we move on to deal with some of the very good amendments we want to ensure the Minister of State will accept.

We are on the amendments.

I am referring to specific amendments and I hope many of them will be agreed.

I will be brief also. I agree with respect to the length of time involved. It is very difficult for everybody involved, but we are all here with a common aim to get this right. Like Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, I read the article by Dr. Fiona Morrissey at the weekend and join in asking for clarification on some of the points made in it, particularly, as the Senator said, in regard to the mental health service users. I found it interesting that Dr. Morrissey reported that 60% of mental health service users felt that they had no control over future treatment. That is an important point. We are talking about a review in respect of wards of court and Part 6 of the Bill. I have had discussions with those involved in Inclusion Ireland who have expressed some concerns brought to their attention by family members. It is desirable we look at that category. It is always much better if the attorneys for wards of court are family members as opposed to a medical person. It is very important to ensure we do that.

Another aspect is funds for wards of court, even though this may not be the legislation under which to raise it. I do not know where that would come in, but with respect to funds in place for them that have been depleted as a result of the economic downturn, what is in place to ensure the people who were awarded money are not out of pocket?

Senator Cáit Keane has indicated that she wants to speak again.

I have indicated again because I thought everybody was making a preamble, that everybody was going all over-----

No. Senators David Norris and Trevor Ó Clochartaigh spoke specifically to amendments.

I will speak specifically to amendment No. 27 because it is grouped with----

We are not on that amendment yet. That is why some of us are sitting here.

Will the Cathaoirleach specifically state which amendment we are on?

We are dealing with the first group of amendments.

I am sorry, not everybody together, just the Cathaoirleach.

We are dealing with a group of amendments from amendment No. 2 together with the other amendments being discussed.

The Senator should sit down.

Amendment No. 2 and also amendments Nos. 7, 19, 20, 69, 77, as well as the others.

I have this awful feeling that we have got off on the wrong foot in dealing with this legislation which has been sought for 30 years. It is a difficult item of legislation to understand. I have been looking at it for two years and the officials have been working on it for even longer. I hope that we are not going to get off on the wrong foot and that this will head towards us doing something for people, including ourselves.

I point out to Senator David Norris that people under the age of 17 years cannot appoint an attorney. They have not reached the age of maturity. The Senator probably gathered that. Neither can they be a witness.

It is under the age of 18 years.

It is important that we understand that. This is about adults.

Yes, but I was asking if the guardian ad litem would come into play.

No, because they are not at that point. They are not covered by the Bill. With respect to the register to be maintained, I believe that will be done electronically, but it will be very much up to the director. When we come to expand on what that director's duties and role are and where the office will be-----

It should contain all the facts.

Yes. With respect to most of the amendments - I am sorry for racing through them but I was conscious that we did not want to be here until tomorrow morning-----

-----the type of information that needs to be gathered, in the first instance, is extensive. When a complaint is made, it needs to be extensive. Therefore, it would cover all eventualities. I think the Senator will be happy enough with that. On the amendments we are proposing in regard to the enduring powers of attorney, we are simply aligning them with the reforms agreed by the Dáil, where there was exceptional co-operation around this area.

I advise Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh that we will be dealing with advance health care directives in Part 8 in which I believe his concerns will be dealt with.

Before I address Dr. Fiona Morrissey's article, I want to state we have met her. One of the meetings was with the officials and it was of three hours duration. I have also met her and she has put her case. It was an informal meeting. I do not want to mislead anyone; it was not the case that this was something we were discussing, but I knew her arguments because I had read her extensive e-mails on several occasions. I have explained to her and others - officials explained also in great detail during that three-hour meeting - that we intend to deal with the advance health care directives in regard to the mental health Bill when the general scheme is produced. We believe that is where it should be dealt with. As well as that, the expert group that has looked at the Mental Health Act for us has advised that is where we should deal with it. This legislation is about enabling people to make decisions and it relates to the general scheme of life events, but the specific area of mental health should be dealt with in the Mental Health Act. We are not opposed to that and have very much taken on board what Dr. Morrissey has said. She is very determined that this be stitched into this legislation, but we do not agree. That is the beauty of democracy. We have explained in great detail why it should be included in the Mental Health Act rather than this legislation.

Amendment agreed to.

I move amendment No. 3:

In page 10, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following:

" "best interpretation" means the interpretation of the relevant person’s past and present communication (using all forms of communication, including, where relevant, total communication, augmented or alternative communication, and non-verbal communication, such as gestures and actions) that seems most reasonably justified in the circumstances;".

The Minister of State is extremely welcome. Before I speak to the amendment, I congratulate her on her work on the mental health (amendment) Bill which seeks to remove the use of coercion in the application of ECT. I acknowledge that a Bill was published by former Senator Dan Boyle, as she knows, and would particularly like to pay tribute to my cousin John McCarthy, God rest him. I can almost hear him using wonderfully colourful language and including the words "about time," but it is great that the Bill will be progressing. I say, "Well done," to the Minister of State.

In association with my colleague, Senator Katherine Zappone----

-----I acknowledge the support of the NUIG Centre for Disability Law and Policy and Tallaght Trialogue. While most people simply require recognition of their legal capacity and support to express their will and preferences, there will still be a small minority of individuals who are not expressing a will and preference in a manner that others can understand. The Bill must establish the lawful response to such circumstances. However, I do not believe a functional assessment of a mental capacity and a subsequent denial of legal capacity is the correct response in these difficult situations. A person in a coma or a minimally conscious state, for example, will not be communicating his or her will and preferences to others and may not have made his or her wishes known in advance through an advance health care directive or granted a power of attorney to anyone for his or her relevant decision.

In these circumstances decision making assistants, co-decision makers, decision making representatives, attorneys or designated health care representatives may need to make a decision on the relevant person's behalf in accordance with their best interpretation of his or her will and preferences. While the Bill does require all interveners to respect the person's will and preferences as part of the guiding principles included in section 8, further reference to the concept of best interpretation of will and preferences is needed for the hard cases in which it is very difficult to tell what a person's wishes are. The term "best interpretation" needs to be defined in section 2 of the Bill to guide those in the supportive roles I have outlined. Best interpretation of a relevant person's will and preferences means taking into account past express preferences, where known, and includes knowledge gained from family and friends and other evidence available. Best interpretation can also be arrived at in seeking to communicate with the person in every possible way, including by using, where appropriate, assisted and augmentative communication, facilitated communication, signs, gestures and total communication, all of which are noted in the regulations and code of practice.

The use of best interpretation will rarely be an easy task. However, the best interest determinations used currently are similarly difficult in these circumstances. The provisions of Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are merely shifting these difficult decisions from focusing on judgments existing outside the individual to the individual's own will and preferences. That is why I am trying to insert a definition of best interpretation. We do need to deal with the hard cases, too.

I support Senator Jillian van Turnhout's amendment. It seems important that we have a concept of best interpretation and a definition of it. It should take into account the history and past expressed wishes of a patient who may now no longer be in a position to express them. We should take into account assisted methods of communication, be it nodding, by squeezing a hand or whatever else. One has to be careful, however, about the way in which the family is included because not all families are perfect. We do not want to have families pushing an interpretation that suits them but not the patient.

I was interested to see that the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2008 had been introduced in the Dáil, a Bill I had seconded in this House. I remember discussing it with former Senator Dan Boyle and a very nice Progressive Democrats Senator whose name I cannot remember. That was before they dumped them. It was an important move to have the Bill discussed and I was surprised and pleased to see it being introduced in the Dáil on Tuesday.

I echo the support for the amendment which is very important and on which there has been a lot of very good work done. This is obviously an incredibly complex issue, but the express will of the relevant person is certainly paramount. Any mechanism or means that can be used to find out what it is should be used, no matter what state the person is in. There are questions about somebody making an advance health care directive, for example. If he or she decides in an advance health care directive that there are certain treatments he or she does not want to have, surely that must be taken into consideration. It is not just an issue of what he or she would like to happen, but also what treatments he or she would not like to receive.

I commend the Senators involved and the work of the academics who have been supporting it. I lend our support to the amendment.

I thank the Senators involved for bringing forward the amendment. As a practising solicitor, I have some concerns about it from my own experience which includes attending a nursing home to have a document granting power of attorney signed, only to find that the person concerned was not at all happy about signing it. I did not get it signed but two days later in my office I found a signed document granting power of attorney which had been witnessed by the matron of the nursing home. I can assure Senators that the document went into the shredder, which was the appropriate place for it. That is going back many years. I, therefore, have some concerns about how this provision will be interpreted in the sense that different people will give different interpretations to it and the intentions of the person concerned. While I accept that a lot of work has been done on this matter by the Senators concerned and that the issue needs to be looked at, I have concerns.

I did acknowledge Senator David Norris in the Dáil when we got the electro-convulsive therapy Bill through last evening. It will be taken in the Seanad on Thursday, 17 December. I acknowledged the Senator's involvement with that of former Senators Dan Boyle and Déirdre de Búrca. They were the three named Senators.

Yes. Deirdre de Búrca was her name.

I also acknowledged Mr. John McCarthy. I am not certain if he would agree with our interpretation of where he is now, but I am sure that if he was still around, he would, at least, be half happy.

On amendment No. 3, as Senator Colm Burke outlined, it is hugely important that we be very clear about the interpretation of someone's will and preferences. I fully acknowledge that we can never get it entirely right and that there will always be circumstances where we will get it wrong. Mr. John McCarthy's book which is on my shelf constantly reminds me of the human condition. We are human and will get it wrong. I do not know why we are ever that surprised by this.

Senators Jillian van Turnhout and Katherine Zappone have proposed amendment No. 3 to introduce a definition of "best interpretation". I cannot accept the amendment because my entire focus in the Bill is on ensuring people have the ability and are helped as much as possible to make decisions for themselves, sometimes in very difficult circumstances. Section 3 provides that where a person's capacity is being assessed, he or she can be deemed to have capacity if he or she can communicate his or her decision by talking, writing, using sign language, assistive technology or any other means, including by means of a third party who knows him or her well and knows what his or her will or preferences would be in the circumstances. Again, I am not certain people will always get it right, but they can only do their very best in the circumstances.

The provision in section 3(2) encompasses much of what the Senators are seeking to achieve. The proposed definition is somewhat unclear in terms of who would interpret it. One issue about which I have concerns is the idea that gestures and actions should be included, without proper safeguards, in a definition of best interpretation. The decisions which need to be made will often have serious legal consequences for the person concerned or another party. The sale of a house, for instance, may leave the person concerned without a home. It is crucial, given the seriousness of the decision, that his or her will and preferences be absolutely clear. Communication through gestures and actions could be misinterpreted if they were not clearly understood. As Senator Colm Burke says, they could be misinterpreted deliberately. In some cases, non-verbal communication will work. We all know people who are non-verbal but who can make their meaning very clear. We see this every day. In some cases, though, it may give rise to misunderstandings. Therefore, a general definition would need to be workable in all cases.

I suggest it would be more appropriate for the director to provide information on communication methods in a code of practice that would enable organisations to have clear information on how to approach communications which might involve the use of assistive technology or non-verbal communication. For these reasons, I cannot accept the amendment, while appreciating exactly what the Senators are seeking to do. I think we have covered as much as possible. The director will have a further part to play in terms of how non-verbal communication can be interpreted.

I appreciate the Minister of State's reply and her suggestion that the matter be included within a code of practice.

I am conscious dthat this legislation is historic and that we are jumping forward. My amendment proposes a framework for these hard cases because without it, there will no framework. As I appreciate what has been said about safeguards, I will withdraw my amendment. I will retable it on Report Stage and perhaps address some of the issues raised. We need a framework to deal with these hard cases in order that we do not have the situation Senator Colm Burke suggested. In the absence of a framework, who will make the interpretation? Where is the guidance for that interpretation? Perhaps it is within a code of practice. I need to consider how best that can be done.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendments Nos. 4, 6, 10, 11, 13, 16, 55, 75, 134 and 213 are related and may be discussed together. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Government amendment No. 4:
In page 10, to delete lines 28 and 29.

Amendments Nos. 4, 6, 10, 11, 13, 16, 55, 75, 134 and 213 propose to delete the current definitions in the Bill of an "approved nursing home", "care service", "relevant facility" and "nursing home or residential facility". Two new terms are proposed as more accurate terms to describe the facilities in which those encompassed by the Bill may be resident. The term "designated centre" is proposed to encompass residential facilities for older persons and persons with disabilities. It is a more accurate term than those currently included in the Bill. It is a term already defined in section 2 of the Health Act 2007. It is proposed that it will bring consistency to the terminology used in the Bill. The term "mental health facility" is retained to encompass residential facilities for persons with mental health illness.

It is not appropriate to retain terms, such as "approved nursing home", as they relate to the nursing home support scheme. The facilities encompassed by the Bill are broader than those which come under the nursing home support scheme. The change of terminology will require the consequential amendment of the definition of the "owner" of such facilities. Amendment No. 10 proposes a definition of "owner" which includes the new terms of "designated centre" and "mental health facility".

Amendments Nos. 55 and 75 are consequential on the streamlining of references to institutions. The references proposed are to "designated centres" to encompass nursing homes and residential facilities for people with disabilities and to "mental health facilities". The provision has been redrafted to make its intent clearer as our consultations with disability and mental health stakeholders have suggested the provision had created confusion. What is proposed is that an owner, a person living with the owner or an employee are automatically disqualified from acting as interveners under the Bill, that is, acting as a co-decision-maker. The exception is where any of them are the spouse, civil partner, cohabitant, parent, child or sibling of the relevant person.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendment No. 5 is in the names of Senators Denis O'Donovan, David Norris, Fidelma Healy Eames, Jillian van Turnhout and Katherine Zappone. Amendments Nos. 5 and 245 are related and may be discussed together. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 10, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following:

“ “chemical restraint” is the intentional use of medication to control or modify a person’s behaviour or to ensure a patient is compliant or not capable of resistance, when no medically identified condition is being treated, where the treatment is not necessary for the condition, or the intended effect of the drug is to sedate the person for convenience or for disciplinary purposes;”.

I welcome the Minister of State. As this is very important and complex legislation, she has my support for the thrust of the Bill. I am glad that only two amendments - Nos. 5 and 245 - deal with chemical restraint. Accepting amendment No. 5 would really enhance the Bill. It states, "chemical restraint is the intentional use of medication to control or modify a person’s behaviour or to ensure a patient is compliant or not capable of resistance, when no medically identified condition is being treated, where the treatment is not necessary for the condition, or the intended effect of the drug is to sedate the person for convenience or for disciplinary purposes;".

In a nutshell, by accepting the amendment, we will improve the human rights and quality of treatment for a person. Before any drug is given to restrain a patient, a clinical assessment should be carried out which means that staff would have time for the patient. For example, giving a patient with dementia and who is agitated a drug will quieten him or her, but it does get to the root of the problem. Staff need time, skills and resources. This is humane and it is what I am asking of the Minister of State by accepting the amendment.

I have heard of cases where patients with dementia who have been agitated have been given drugs instead of receiving talk therapy to take them through the condition. I have heard of a stroke patient being drugged instead of being taken to the toilet. All she needed was to be physically brought to the toilet. It is undignified to use drugs in this way. I am not saying there is no need for drugs; there is a place for drugs but only after a clinical assessment has been carried out which deems use of them as being the best and last resort.

The same applies to children with autism. Instead of staff being trained to talk to children in a meltdown situation, Ritalin is often administered. I know that because there have been children in that state in my classroom. One is not dealing with the real person but a person in a zombie-like state who has been incapacitated. One is not dealing with the person with whom one could be dealing in order to get the best out of him or her. I strongly encourage the Minister of State to accept my amendment. Sage, the support and advocacy service for older people, is very appreciative and supportive of the amendment.

Amendment No. 245 reiterates what is in amendment No. 5 and states: "Nothing in this Act shall be construed as authorising any person to administer to a relevant person any medication for the purpose of controlling or modifying the relevant person’s behaviour or to ensure that a relevant person is compliant and not capable of resistance when no medically identified condition is being treated, where the treatment is not necessary for the condition, or the intended effect of the medication is to sedate the relevant person for convenience or for disciplinary purposes". This reminds me of what went on in that horrific case in Áras Attracta.

There were no drugs-----

In some cases, I understand there are. Amendment No. 245 further states: "Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), the appropriate use of drugs to reduce symptoms in the treatment of a medical condition does not constitute chemical restraint but the administration of such medication should be clearly documented on the relevant person's file and the reasons for the administration of such medication specified". In other words, there is a time and a place for medication but only after all of the appropriate human interventions, the face-to-face therapies and talking patients down and through the situation have been used.

The two amendments hang together clearly. The first one is a definition and I cannot see why it should be rejected. It states "chemical restraint" is the intentional use of medication to control or modify a person’s behaviour or to ensure a patient is compliant" - in other words, to dose them down. It is an emergency fire department response.

Importantly, the amendment also indicates that this is in a situation where the administration of these drugs is not to treat any condition, in other words, the drugs are not medically necessary and their usage is simply a form of restraint. We have to be very careful, in terms of people's human rights, when there is restraint.

The amendment also states "the intended effect of the drug is to sedate the person for convenience or for disciplinary purposes". It is shocking to think that when somebody behaves badly because he or she suffers from that, as punishment, drugs are administered to shut him or her up, keep him or her quiet and keep him or her down.

That would be dreadful.

I have experience from 30 or 40 years ago of visiting the then Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, where I witnessed staff going around with trays of drugs and allowing people pick up handfuls of them. Those patients were zombies: they were out of their skulls. I do not think this practice continues and would be very surprised if it did. The amendments deal with the last vestiges of that system and would ensure drugs were not inappropriately used. Drugs are for a specific purpose and should not be used to punish people. The idea of using medication to punish a mentally ill person is absolutely repugnant.

Amendment No. 245 makes it perfectly clear, following the definition in amendment No. 5, that the Bill will not be interpreted in such a manner as to allow the administration of drugs or medicines in such a way - either to restrain or punish. However, it makes provision in subsection (2) for the medical administration of drugs. In other words, in cases where they are being administered to treat a particular medical condition, that is not to be considered as chemical restraint.

I support this amendment. I, too, was contacted by Mervyn Taylor of Sage, the support and advocacy service for older people, about this issue. Sage has noted the clear statement in the Department of Health policy document towards a restraint-free environment in nursing homes which unequivocally states, "Chemical restraint is always unacceptable". Chemical restraint is a violation of personal and bodily integrity. It constitutes inhumane and degrading treatment and in the experience of Sage, it is being used in certain circumstances to deprive people of their liberty rather than to address underlying clinical issues. As such, it is in breach of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights and, therefore, should be prohibited.

It is health care professionals who are responsible for the administration of medicine to control behaviour, but rather than undertaking detailed clinical assessments to address the underlying reasons for agitation in some patients, for example, patients with dementia, they use chemical restraint as a first rather than a last resort. That is why I support the amendment and have put my name to it. We need to legislate and make it very clear that we should not normalise the issue of chemical restraint. It is a last resort and there should be an appropriate clinical assessment done if it is to be used.

The fact amendment No. 245 uses the words "chemical restraint" means that it is not unreasonable to ask for "chemical restraint" to be defined. We spoke about interpretation earlier and about how one interpretation could differ from another. Obviously, drugs must be prescribed by a medical practitioner, but there could be different interpretations regarding how they are used. Nursing homes have guidelines on how to deal with this matter, but would it be possible to address the problem raised here through the use of guidelines? I understand the concerns of other Senators about the widespread use or any use of chemical restraint in nursing homes without a requirement for medical intervention.

I understand perfectly the concerns of Senators. We are always under the impression that restraint is physical, but chemical restraint is much more subtle and, probably, far more effective. Apart from this Bill, there are other areas that are protected in terms of chemical restraint. For example, HIQA always insists on reading patients' records to ensure medication is appropriate for people and that the amount and frequency of medication administered is registered. This provision is always part of HIQA's reporting process. This is one of the mechanisms we have as a safeguard. Mention was made of Áras Attracta and that example shows we are human and things do go wrong. However, we must accept that the majority of people working in the care industry and medical professionals take this issue seriously and do not administer drugs that are of no benefit to the health of patients.

Amendments Nos. 5 and 245 would introduce a definition of chemical restraint into the Bill and insert a new section stipulating that persons would not be authorised by the Bill to use chemical restraint. We are all in agreement that chemical restraint should be used as little as possible. I have already responded to this concern and this is not the first time it has been raised. I am sure the Senators proposing the amendment have been lobbied on this area. I have already responded to this concern through the amendments I introduced in the Dáil on Report Stage. I introduced an amendment which stipulates that chemical restraint can be used or authorised only by decision-making representatives or by attorneys. This is a significant safeguard. They can use chemical restraint only in very limited circumstances, where there is an exceptional emergency situation which involves an imminent risk of serious harm to the relevant person or to another person. The use of such restraint must be proportionate to the likelihood of harm. Where chemical restraint is used or authorised, decision-making representatives and attorneys must include details of the use of restraint in their reports to the director of the decision support service.

My amendments give the strong message that chemical restraint should be used only as an exceptional measure. They are focused on instances in which individuals take decisions on behalf of a person with capacity difficulties as that is the focus of this Bill. The Bill is not intended to address all issues that may affect vulnerable people. Both HIQA and the medical profession have a role to play also.

On the issue of chemical restraint more broadly, the position is that chemical restraint is not currently defined in health legislation although, as previously stated, a definition is given in the national policy on the use of restraint in designated centres for older people - nursing homes. Regulations on designated centres for older people require that restraint only be used in accordance with that policy.

The Mental Health Act requires rules for the use of restraint to be drawn up by the Mental Health Commission. Rules have been in place since 2009. The recent review of the Mental Health Act has recommended that revised mental health legislation should be broadened to include all forms of seclusion and restraint, similar to in the capacity legislation. The group was satisfied that the details of how such policy should operate is best left to be provided for in rules and guidelines, which are to be revised by the Mental Health Commission when primary legislation is revised. At this point, it is intended that secondary legislation should include a provision ensuring that approved centres are obliged by law to follow national policy where seclusion and restraint are concerned.

Detailed provisions regarding the use of chemical restraint and other types of restraint are best set down in national policies and underpinned by secondary legislation. This has the advantage of allowing for changes to be made such as to improve safeguards, without the necessity of having to amend primary legislation. For this reason, while I sympathise with what the Senators are seeking to achieve and have considered the issues, I cannot accept the amendments. Again, we have included safeguards in this Bill in the context of who can authorise the administration of drugs and a reporting mechanism that should provide greater protection. There are times when that protection is needed.

The Mental Health Commission is also very active in this area. It is the HIQA of mental health services. In the context of older people and disability, HIQA is equally active in this area. I believe we have sufficient safeguards included in the Bill and further agreed definitions will be introduced in the revised Mental Health Act.

Am I correct in assuming that chemical restraint is referred to in the Bill, as it stands, even without these amendments?

I ask the Senator to repeat his question.

Am I correct in assuming that "chemical restraint" is provided for within the body of the Bill as a phrase?

That is what I thought but it seems extraordinary that there is no definition for same. Whatever about amendments Nos. 2, 4 or 5, surely to goodness there should be the acceptance of a definition? If the Minister of State does not like our definition, she should present one of her own. It is astonishing that a major term employed in the Bill should not be defined. Everything else is defined. Decision includes "classes of decisions", for example. The Bill defines "decision", although many people believe they know what it means. Under the legislation, "Act of 1995" means the Civil Legal Act of 1995 and so on. There are so many definitions included. Why is there an absence of a definition in this instance? I would have thought that because chemical restraint was such a clear term, it would need a definition. The definition offered is: "the intentional use of medication to control, modify or a person’s behaviour or to ensure a patient is compliant or not capable of resistance when no medically identified condition is being treated, where the treatment is not necessary for the condition".

My apologies. I am listening to the Senator and did not mean to turn my back.

I do not mind at all. I have no problem with the Minister of State turning away and taking advice, although I know that other Senators do not like it. I firmly believe there must be a definition in the Bill. A definition is needed and I cannot emphasise that point enough.

I also believe a definition is vital because we must have agreement on what we are talking about. When Sage put its case to me, I had to ask what was meant by the term "chemical restraint" because I wanted to make sure we were talking about the same thing. The Bill, without a definition of chemical restraint, will not be strong enough to prevent the use of drugs to control behaviour for disciplinary or other purposes. The term must be defined and clearly understood throughout the text of the Bill. My thoughts go out to the poor, weak, vulnerable people who are being managed by drugs when talk therapy or other approaches would be more satisfactory.

I also ask the Minister of State to clarify what she means when she says chemical restraint should only be used in exceptional circumstances. I agree but ask where that assurance is laid out in the Bill.

That is what I was consulting the departmental official about because I knew I had read it somewhere. It is defined in the Bill and the definition is very similar to what is proposed in the amendment. It is covered in the section dealing with restrictions on decision-making representatives, namely, section 38. I will read the relevant-----

I ask the Minister of State to give us the page number.

It is on page 53. However, I am worried that the version I have may not be the same as the one the Senator is using, which is why I am being cautious about it.

What page and what line?

I thank the Senator.

If the Senators turn to page 53, section 38(9)(c). they will see the definition, which is very close to that proposed in the amendment. It reads as follows: "administers a medication, which is not necessary for a medically identified condition, with the intention of controlling or modifying the relevant person’s behaviour or ensuring that he or she is compliant or not capable of resistance".

The difficulty with it is that it is not included in the definitions section.

It should be included in the definitions section and the definition provided for in the amendment is better. First, it is a definition. Second, it is very clear and, third, it introduces the fact that the drugs being administered are not necessary for a medical condition. That is absent from the subsection to which the Minister of State referred, which does not include a definition. I know that sometimes in Bills there are sections which contain definitions within them, in addition to the definitions in the first Part of the Bill. However, this-----

Perhaps we might take a little more time to read through this because the definition is actually included. The paragraph reads,"administers a medication, which is not necessary for a medically identified condition".

The paragraph does not refer to chemical restraint.

Will the Senator repeat what he said, please?

The paragraph is not naming it as chemical restraint.

It does not need to name it as chemical restraint.

Let us examine what we are saying. For the purposes of the section, "a decision-making representative for a relevant person restrains the relevant person if he or she...". There are a number of points, including the one read by the Minister of State. Let us say, for the sake of argument, we are talking about a nurse or a care giver. Is he or she actually called a "decision-making representative"? A nurse or care giver may just be following someone's orders. I would not be convinced at all about this, given the potential impact on the patient, sufferer or vulnerable person. I would not be at all convinced that a person who is following instructions from a third party is a decision-making representative.

The Senator is making a different point entirely.

No, I am not because paragraph (c) of section 38(9) which the Minister of State read to reassure us is covered by the overarching opening sentence of the subsection which reads, "For the purpose of this section, a decision-making representative for a relevant person restrains the relevant person if he or she...". What I am trying determine is whether a care assistant, for example, is classed as a decision-making representative.

Yes, but that is not the point of the amendment. The point of the amendment is to define chemical restraint, but chemical restraint is covered in the Bill. If the Senator wants to propose an amendment relating to-----

It is only covered subject to the opening sentence which I have just read. A decision-making representative is not allowed to administer a medication, but I am asking if a care giver is a decision-making representative. Is a nurse, for example, a decision-making representative?

Then it does not work. It is not adequate.

We are now dealing with two amendments.

I asked earlier if the phrase "chemical restraint" was used in the Bill. As it does not appear in this section, I assume it is used elsewhere in the Bill.

That is the information I was given. The subsection does not refer to or define chemical restraint. I note that the Minister of State is nodding. Therefore, I am taking that to mean that the phrase does not appear elsewhere in the Bill. Her case is substantially weakened by virtue of the fact that subsection (9) of section 38 begins thus: "For the purposes of this section...". That limits it to this section, which means that it is not an adequate definition. It does not refer to chemical restraint as such. It gives a definition that approximates to chemical restraint, but it limits and confines it to this section. Therefore, where chemical restraint is mentioned elsewhere in the Bill, there is no definition.

If it is inclued in the Bill, it covers every part.

No, that is not correct. What is the point in saying, "For the purposes of this section"? I know that it is a nicety, but legal points are niceties.

If it is included in the Bill, it forms part of the legislation.

Perhaps the Bill might be amended-----

It states, "For the purposes of this section".

I do see a certain amount of agreement from the advisers. No, there is vigorous head-shaking.

They have minds of their own. I never interrupt them; they are well capable of making up their own minds.

Did Senator Martin Conway indicate?

I did, but the Minister of State clarified the point I was going to make.

The Minister of State cannot get away from the fact that it states “for the purpose of this section”.

I believe the point made by Senator Fidelma Healy Eames concerns the chain of authority. Nowhere does the Bill authorise anyone else to medicate people for an identified medical problem. The Bill has taken a considerable time to draft. Do the Senators want to go into that level of detail to see what more we can add?

The points made by Senator David Norris are probably more relevant to the section, but the amendments are specific.

I am being very specific.

The section deals with restraints and restrictions.

I am being very specific because I am talking about a definition. I could not be more specific. I am talking about the language.

I have established that the words "chemical restraint" appear in other sections of the Bill. It would be very helpful if the Minister of State or her advisers could indicate where the words "chemical restraint" appear in the Bill. I know that is a bit of an “ask”, as they say, but I would be very grateful if she could. That might help us to tease out whether a definition is required.

I do understand the Minister of State is getting my point about the chain of authority. This is limited in two ways: first, the Government should amend the words "this section" because one could argue that it applies only in this section; second, a definition is vital and if the phrase “chemical restraint” appears elsewhere the Minister of State should give us the precise page references. Given that the Minister of State said a caregiver or a nurse would not be the decision-making representative prevented from administering a medication which is not necessary for a medically identified condition, who are the decision-making representatives? We need to know. Is it an attorney? About whom are we talking?

It is the whole point of Bill. Has the Senator not read it?

It can be someone that the person chooses or who is appointed by the courts. Am I now to go back and explain to the Senator who these people are?

My question refers to a care setting.

It does not matter.

Is the Minister of State reassuring me that a doctor, nurse or caregiver can never administer drugs that are not necessary?

The Minister of State used the words "in these circumstances".

It is used in exceptional circumstances where the person is in imminent danger of serious harm or someone else is in imminent danger of serious harm. I read it.

I was just checking.

Is it possible to give the reference? I want to tease this out.

We will find the other section of the Bill for the Senator, I promise.

The Minister of State does not have it.

No. We are not that quick.

Is the amendment being pressed?

It is being pressed unless we know where we are going. We have to have a definition.

We need to know where the words "chemical restraint" appears in the Bill. If they appear in the Bill, it needs a definition that is broader than just "for the purpose of the section".

It is also included in section 53 and it is exactly the same amendment.

Is that the only other place where it is used?

That is my information.

We are not dealing with section 53 now.

It is included in section 53(5)(c) but the words used are not actually “chemical restraint”.

Does the Senator accept that it is included by another name?

Yes. My point was that if the phrase “chemical restraint” was used in the legislation, as I was initially told, it needed a definition. It does not appear except in a section where it more or less defines itself.

I think we would have a serious difficulty if we were to include different types of definition. We would probably have five.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment No. 6 was discussed with amendment No. 4.

I have made the point before that there is a huge number of amendments but when we come to an actual amendment, we are told it has already been discussed and that we cannot discuss it again.

We had a long discussion on that group of amendments.

I was misinformed by the Cathaoirleach because he said I could come in again.

Of course, the Senator can come in on the group of amendments being discussed.

Exactly, but I cannot come in when an amendment is before us. That is the point I was making and it is a very good and valid one.

All of the amendments were related to the one subject.

Not necessarily.

Government amendment No. 6:
In page 11, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following:
“ “designated centre” has the meaning it has in section 2 of the Health Act 2007;”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 7:
In page 11, to delete lines 22 to 25 and substitute the following:
“ “enduring power of attorney” has the meaning assigned to it by section 51; “enduring power under the Act of 1996” means an enduring power referred to in section 4 of the Act of 1996 which was created in accordance with the provisions of that Act;”.
Amendment agreed to.

Amendments Nos. 8, 48 to 50, inclusive, 56, 73, 76, 82, 95, 106, 107, 116, 131 and 232 are related. These are technical amendments that may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed?

They are only technical amendments.

I know. I am just being awkward.

The Senator is being very awkward.

I do not agree with all this. In this kind of circumstance where there are 21 or 22 pages of amendments which have all been grouped together in a big group and we can discuss them only as part of a huge, amorphous bulk, we do not have the opportunity to consider them where they are relevant in the Bill. We are told they have already been discussed with the other amendments. It should be possible to come in again at that point.

We are not having a speech. Is the Senator agreeing to the proposal made?

I am not agreeing to it, but that does not mean they are not being grouped.

Government amendment No. 8:
In page 11, line 33, to delete “paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f)” and substitute “paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e)”.

I understand people are becoming a little jaded and frustrated by this.

The Minister of State can go on. I do not care.

Amendments Nos. 8, 48 to 50, inclusive, 56, 73, 76, 82, 95, 106, 107, 116, 131 and 232 are technical amendments to correct cross-references or typographical errors. That will drive the Senator mad, but it has to be done.

Amendment No. 8 is a technical amendment to correct an incorrect cross-reference. Amendments Nos. 48 to 50 are technical amendments to specify the cross-reference more precisely. Amendment No. 56 is a technical amendment to include the necessary cross-references to all provisions relating to offences in the Bill. Amendment No. 73 is a technical amendment to provide for the correct reference to specific provisions in the Companies Act. Amendment No. 76 is similar to amendment No. 56 and a technical amendment to include the necessary cross-references to all provisions relating to offences in the Bill. Amendment No. 82 is a technical amendment to introduce the necessary cross-reference to the functions of a co-decision-maker as set out in section 16. Amendment No. 95 is a technical amendment that provides for the director, in reviewing a co-decision-making agreement, to check that the agreement is not null and void. Amendment No. 106 is a technical amendment to specify the correct cross-reference more precisely.

It proposes that the court would make a determination pursuant to an application under subsection (4)(b) which provides that the director can apply to the court to determine whether a person should continue to be a co-decision maker.

Amendment No. 106 is a technical amendment to specify that the application to register a co-decision-making agreement is subject to the requirement of section 14(6). This specifies that a co-decision-making agreement may be signed on behalf of an appointer by a third party. This is permitted where the appointer is unable to sign the agreement. However, the appointer must specify the third party who will sign on his or her behalf.

Amendment No. 107 is a technical amendment to describe more clearly the first grounds on which a complaint can be made against a co-decision maker. This is when the co-decision maker has acted or is proposing to act outside of the scope of the functions of the co-decision-making agreement and no change of policy is proposed.

Amendment No. 116 is a technical amendment to specify the cross-reference more precisely. The court will make a determination on an application by the director under subsection (2)(a) where the latter believes a complaint to be well founded.

Amendment No. 131 is a technical amendment to make clear the court's determination on applications on co-decision making is limited to matters arising from this part and to co-decision making.

Amendment No. 232 clarifies that in any application to the court on an advanced healthcare directive, the applicant should inform the court of any enduring power of attorney regardless of whether it was registered under the Bill or the 1996 Act.

Some of these amendments are generated by the text of the Bill and are necessary but others should have been picked up at an earlier stage. There is no excuse for that.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendments Nos. 9, 15, 18, 22, 24, 28, 46, 53, 54, 57, 59, 60, 66 to 68, inclusive, 70, 72, 74, 78 to 80, inclusive, 83 to 91, inclusive, 94, 96 to 104, inclusive, 109 to 115, inclusive, 119 to 130, inclusive, 133 and 147 are drafting amendments and may be discussed together.

Government amendment No. 9:
In page 11, to delete lines 35 to 38 and substitute the following:
“ “intervention”, in relation to a relevant person, means an action taken under this Act, orders made under this Act or directions given under this Act in respect of the relevant person by—”.

I will take this as slowly as possible because it is a huge group of amendments. I understand the Senator's frustration. We will do this as painlessly as possible.

Amendment No. 9 is intended to define intervention more accurately as the actions which directly have an impact on a relevant person. These can include an action by an intervener, a court order or a direction made by a court. It is not appropriate to include rules of court or ministerial regulations within the definition as their impact would be indirect in nature and would not be focused on an individual case. Accordingly, it is proposed to delete the references to rules of court or ministerial regulations from the definition of intervention.

Amendment No. 15 proposes to delete the words "in accordance with the provisions of this Act" from the definition of relevant person as the phrase is unnecessary to the meaning of the definition.

Amendment No. 18 proposes the deletion of a phrase which is unnecessary to the meaning of the provision. It is intended that the provisions of section 3 will apply for all of purposes of the Bill.

Amendments Nos. 22 and 24 propose to delete the word "relevant" from the provisions relating to the donation of an organ or the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. Amendment No. 28 proposes to delete the word "relevant" from subsection (9) of section 8. This is because the phrase "relevant person" means someone who lacks capacity. As these provisions explicitly state they relate to a person who lacks capacity, the reference to "relevant" is unnecessary.

Amendment No. 46 is a technical amendment to introduce the necessary cross-reference to the criteria as set out in section 15 that make a person ineligible to be appointed as a co-decision maker. Amendment No. 53 ensures the definition of immediate family relates to both the appointer and the co-decision maker, not just the appointer who is a relevant person.

The purpose of amendment No. 54 is to correct a grammatical error. Amendment No. 57 is a technical amendment to make the provision more precise. Amendment No. 59 is a technical amendment that clarifies the intent of the provision that the functions of a co-decision maker shall be specified by the appointer in the co-decision-making agreement. Amendment No. 60 is a technical amendment that clarifies the intent of the provision that the co-decision-maker shall assist the appointer with communicating his or her will and preferences.

Amendments Nos. 67 and 70 are technical amendments to specify that a co-decision-making agreement will be null and void if any of the circumstances specified in subsections (1) or (2) occur, that is, that a marriage or civil partnership is dissolved or the couple separate. Amendment No. 68 is a technical amendment to clarify that the reference is to the co-decision-making agreement. Amendment No. 72 is a technical amendment to specify that subsection (6) relates to a co-decision-making agreement which becomes null and void post-registration of the agreement.

Amendment No. 74 is a technical amendment to specify that the cross-reference should be to Chapter 5 of Part 14 of the Companies Act 2014. Amendment No. 78 is a technical amendment to specify that the disqualification of a potential co-decision maker occurs when the court makes a declaration under section 34(1), that is, a declaration which declares the co-decision maker to lack capacity, unless assisted by a co-decision maker or even with the assistance of a co-decision maker. Amendments Nos. 79 and 80 are drafting amendments to make the intent of the provisions clearer. Amendment No. 83 corrects a grammatical error. Amendment No. 84 clarifies that the application for registration of a co-decision-making agreement must include a copy of any notice given to specified parties.

Amendment No. 85 is a technical amendment to specify that the director’s review of an application for a co-decision-making agreement will relate to establishing if the criteria set out in paragraphs (a) to (f) have been met. Amendment No. 86 is a technical amendment to specify that one of the criteria that needs to be fulfilled is that the co-decision-maker is eligible for appointment according to the eligibility grounds set out in section 15. Amendments Nos. 87 and 88 are technical amendments in the interests of consistency. They propose that specified actions will be taken where the director is of the view that criteria have been satisfied.

Amendments No. 89 and 90 are technical amendments to clarify that the capacity to make a decision is at issue rather than the decision in general. Amendment No. 91 is a technical amendment to specify more clearly that an objection can be made to registration of a co-decision-making agreement if the potential co-decision maker is not eligible on the grounds set out in section 15(1).

Amendment No. 94 is a technical amendment to specify more precisely that the director’s review of a co-decision-making agreement should be against the criteria set out in paragraphs (a) to (e). Amendments Nos. 100, 102 and 103 are related amendments which propose that the director’s view on the outcome of the review will be based on whether the criteria have been fulfilled.

The purpose of amendment No. 95 is to correct a typographical error. Amendments Nos. 96 and 97 propose to delete the word "effectively" as it is a subjective term and difficult for a director to assess. Amendment No. 98 is a technical amendment. Amendments Nos. 99 and 101 are related amendments which clarify that the director is forming a view that the necessary criteria do not apply at the time of his or her review of the co-decision-making agreement.

The director is not making an assessment as to whether the criteria applied in the past. Amendments Nos. 100, 102 and 103 are technical amendments that clarify the intent of the provision.

Amendment No. 104 is a technical amendment to replace the term "notice" with "notification". The term "notification" is a more correct term in the provision that sets out the director's right to apply to the court for a determination, having notified the co-decision maker that he or she has failed to submit a report or has submitted an incomplete report. The term "notice" relates more to the serving of notice to specified parties of the creation of an enduring power of attorney, for example.

Amendment No. 98 follows on from the change to the heading in the subsection. Amendments Nos. 109 to 112, inclusive, are technical amendments changing the word "the" to "and". The amendment is needed because a relevant person does not have the status of "the" appointer if a co-decision-making agreement is potentially null and void.

Amendment No. 113 is a technical amendment to make clear that the director's investigation will be on the matters that are the subject of the complaint. Amendment No. 114 proposes a time limit of 21 days for a person to appeal a decision of the director that a complaint is not well founded.

Amendment No. 115 is to correct a typographical error. Amendments Nos. 119 to 130, inclusive, are a series of technical amendments intended to make clearer the provisions of section 28. Amendment No. 133 is a technical amendment to specify that the person commits an offence when he or she uses fraud, coercion or undue influence to force another person to make, vary or revoke a co-decision-making agreement. Amendment No. 147 is a technical amendment to make clear that the decisions for which the person needs a co-decision-maker will be those set out in the court's declaration rather than in an application, potentially by a third party, to the court.

Quite a number of the amendments should have been picked up in the past two years and there is no excuse for not doing so. Will the Minister of State elucidate on amendment No. 63 which purports to delete on page 26, lines 19 to 26:

(3) A co-decision-maker shall not—

(a) attempt to obtain information that is not reasonably required for making a relevant decision, or

(b) use relevant information for a purpose other than in relation to making a relevant decision.

(4) A co-decision-maker shall take reasonable steps to ensure that relevant information—

(a) is kept secure from unauthorised access, use or disclosure, and-----

From what page is the Senator reading?

Page 26 of the Bill. I am curious as to why the Minister of State wants to delete a provision indicating that people should not attempt to obtain information that is not required. It would be utterly wrong to use information for a purpose that was not appropriate. The other provision is that a co-decision-maker should take reasonable steps to ensure the information is kept secure. As I am sure that is appropriate, I wonder why it is to be deleted.

We are trying to tidy up the Bill. As the Senator has stated, it is difficult enough to get our heads around it. All of the information on the obligations of co-decision-makers and others will be included in section 8. We are trying to tidy it up.

Is it included in section 8 or will that be included in section 8 after further amendment?

They will be grouped in section 8 after the amendments. We are trying to tidy up the Bill. The powers of attorney section will have all of the provisions together, which is why there are extensive-----

I do not see anything in section 8 indicating that the people concerned "shall not obtain information" inappropriately or use it inappropriately, keeping it from unauthorised access. Is it included in section 8? I am sorry, but perhpas I am just being obtuse.

We have not yet come to that part, as the Senator might have gathered. It is page-----

That is why there is a difference. My reference is to page 4. I want to be careful about the information I am giving. The amendment states:

In page 18, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following:

“(10) The intervener, in making an intervention in respect of a relevant person—

(a) shall not attempt to obtain relevant information that is not reasonably required-----

That is an amendment.

That is what I was asking. It is proposed to make an amendment to introduce that provision in another place.

It will be an amended section.

It is now clear. I thank the Minister of State.

Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 10:
In page 12, to delete lines 17 to 21 and substitute the following:
" "owner", in relation to a designated centre or mental health facility, includes a person managing a designated centre or mental health facility, or a director (including a shadow director within the meaning of section 222 of the Act of 2014) of, or a shareholder in or an employee or agent of, a company which owns or manages such a centre or facility;".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 11:
In page 12, line 30, to delete "nursing home or residential facility" and substitute "designated centre".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 12:
In page 13, to delete lines 12 and 13 and substitute the following:
"(g) the discharge of the relevant person’s debts, tax and duty liabilities and obligations or other obligations;".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 13:
In page 14, to delete lines 12 and 13.
Amendment agreed to.

Amendments Nos. 14, 43, 63 and 240 to 243, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Government amendment No. 14:
In page 14, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following:
" "relevant information", in relation to a relevant person, means personal records relating to the relevant person or other information that the relevant person is entitled to and that is or are required in relation to a relevant decision;".

Amendments Nos. 14, 43, 63 and 240 to 243, inclusive, are intended to insert provisions to ensure information is sourced, used and stored correctly and in compliance with data protection obligations.

The proposed amendment No. 14 is intended to bring the Bill into compliance with the Data Protection Act by including a definition of "relevant information". This definition will enable interveners, such as decision-making assistants, for instance, to know the categories of information that they can and cannot access. Including the definition should also make clearer to an institution which categories of information can and cannot be given to an intervener.

Amendment No. 43 proposes to delete subsections (3) and (4) of section 16 as the obligations arising for co-decision-makers are now set out in section 8. The obligations now relate to all interveners rather than specifically to decision-making assistants. Similarly, amendment No. 63 proposes to delete subsections (2) and (3) of section 11 as the obligations arising for decision-making assistants are now set out in section 8.

Amendments Nos. 240 and 241 propose to introduce additional provisions to section 82 concerning the obligations that will apply to general visitors and special visitors if they seek records relating to a person with capacity difficulties as part of their role to support the director. They will need to have access to such records mainly when they are examining a complaint received by the director relating to a person with capacity difficulties. The proposed amendments retain the provision allowing them to examine and take copies of records.

It specifies that these can be health, personal welfare and financial records pertaining to the person with capacity difficulties. It also retains the provision for the general visitor or special visitor to interview the person.

The amendments propose a series of additional obligations to bring the provision into line with data protection obligations. It requires the general visitor or special visitor to seek the consent of the person with capacity difficulties prior to seeking the records in question. It proposes that the consent requirement can be dispensed with where the person has a decision-making representative or an attorney under an enduring power of attorney. This is for the reason that if the special visitor or general visitor is examining a complaint, it may often be against a decision-making representative or an attorney. It would not be appropriate, therefore, for the person against whom a complaint is potentially being made to have the possibility to refuse access by the special visitor or general visitor to the records in question.

The amendments would impose the following restrictions in terms of the records that can be sought. These are limited to the records needed for the purposes of carrying out the task required by the director. They would also require the special visitor or general visitor to keep the records secure from unauthorised access, use and disclosure. They would require the special visitor or general visitor to dispose of the records when no longer needed. To ensure these restrictions are complied with, they would require the director to carry out an annual check to ensure special visitors and general visitors are complying with these obligations.

Amendments Nos. 242 and 243 propose the same provisions and obligations on court friends as are specified in respect of general visitors or special visitors. They require the court friend to seek the consent of the person with capacity difficulties prior to seeking the records in question. They also propose that the consent requirement can be dispensed with where the person has a decision-making representative or an attorney under an enduring power of attorney. This is for the reason that if the court friend is supporting a person with capacity difficulties in a court hearing, the interests of the incapacitated person may be at odds with those of a decision-making representative or an attorney. It would not be appropriate to give them the power to refuse access to such records.

Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 15:
In page 14, lines 17 and 18, to delete "in accordance with the provisions of this Act".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 16:
In page 14, to delete lines 35 to 39, and in page 15, to delete lines 1 to 8 and substitute the following:
"(a) one or both residing in or entering a designated centre or mental health facility, or
(b) one or both residing in or entering an institution (of whatever kind) for purposes relating to—
(i) a physical or mental condition of the person concerned, or
(ii) the imprisonment, or the taking into lawful custody, of the person concerned.".
Amendment agreed to.
Section 2, as amended, agreed to.
SECTION 3
Amendment No. 17 not moved.
Government amendment No. 18:
In page 15, lines 10 to 12, to delete all words from and including "(including" in line 10 down to and including "directive)" in line 12.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 3, amended, agreed to.
SECTION 4
Government amendment No. 19:
In page 16, line 4, to delete "Parts 6, 7," and substitute "Parts 6,".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 20:
In page 16, lines 4 and 5, to delete "and Schedules 1 and 2".
Amendment agreed to.
Amendment No. 21 not moved.
Government amendment No. 22:
In page 16, line 23, to delete "relevant".
Amendment agreed to.
Amendment No. 23 not moved.
Government amendment No. 24:
In page 16, line 26, to delete "relevant".
Amendment agreed to.
Section 4, as amended, agreed to.
Sections 5 and 6 agreed to.
NEW SECTION
Government amendment No. 25:
In page 17, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following:
"Repeals
7. (1) The Marriage of Lunatics Act 1811 is repealed.
(2) Subject to the provisions of Part 6, the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871 is repealed.".

This is a technical amendment. It is considered good drafting practice for the legislation which is to be repealed to be included in the same section. No change of substance is involved. The Bill proposes to repeal, as previously agreed, the Marriage of Lunatics Act 1811, which seems so ridiculous now. The Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871 will be repealed with the exception of the transitional arrangements of Part 6 to allow all adult wards to be discharged from wardship and-or migrated to the new options. That should get a round of applause.

Amendment agreed to.
Section 7 deleted.
SECTION 8

Amendments Nos. 26, 27 and 29 and will be discussed together.

I move amendment No. 26:

In page 17, to delete line 30 and substitute the following:

"and to reside in the place of his or her choice in so far as that is practicable,".

Section 8 sets out the guiding principles, inherent in which is the minimisation of the restrictions on relevant persons. The principles include respect for the right to dignity, bodily integrity, privacy, autonomy and control of financial affairs. These are important rights but a fundamental right that should be included as a guiding principle is the right to reside in a place of one's own choice where that is practicable. This right for older persons is included in section 2 of the Council of Europe recommendations 2014 on the promotion of the human rights of older people and provides that older persons are entitled to lead their lives independently in a self-determined and autonomous manner. This encompasses, inter alia, the taking of independent decisions with regard to all issues which concern them, including those regarding their property, income, finances, place of residence, health, medical treatment or care. Older persons, in principle, should only be placed in a residential institution or psychiatric care with their free and informed consent and any exception to this principle must fulfil the requirements of Article 5.43 of the European Convention on Human Rights, in particular the right to liberty and security.

With regard to people with disabilities, the right to choose a place of residence is set out in Article 19(a) of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities 2007, which provides, "Persons with disabilities have the opportunity to choose their place of residence and where and with whom they live on an equal basis with others and are not obliged to live in a particular living arrangement". Too often, current practice is not to afford the opportunity to a person to exercise his or her right to make a choice as to where he or she would like to reside and not to consider what options and support are available and could be put in place in respect of the choice being made. The spirit of the legislation requires us to do this and I would like the Minister of State to accept the amendment. The inclusion of this right in the guiding principles will at least prompt the interventor to consider this right before making arrangements that are contrary to the wishes and preferences of the relevant person. Each person's well-being and happiness, which we continually forget, should be the standard to which society aspires.

I know that the Minister of State understands this better than anybody, but we seem to think that as one gets older, one becomes a bigger economy. Although they are necessary and do good work, too many care and residential homes are being built and not enough is being done to keep people in their own homes if that is what they wish and if it is practicable. There is such a concept as the appropriateness of a home. More residential settings or residential beds for the elderly are not needed because we have enough. The Minister of State will be aware of residential institutions that are a home within a home all over Ireland. Older people have to be free and should never be incubated.

I mentioned the last time we discussed this topic in the House that if one left a dog on its own for three days, the ISPCA would be rapping on the door to find out why one had done that. Older people do not bark enough for attention, but we accept that they are deserving of more than one hour's human contact a day.

We should stop segregating them. There is a kind of apartheid in how we treat older people. That is why I tabled the amendment which I hope the Minister of State will accept. It proposes the inclusion of the words "to reside in the place of his or her choice in so far as that is practicable". It is not always medically practical or possible, but it should be a choice. We have the money to keep people in homes that cost a €1,000 a week for their care, but we do not have the same amount of money to keep them within the community. I do not understand this and that is the reason I tabled the amendment.

I know that the Minister of State understands this point, but the fair deal scheme should start in the home. People should be able to stay in their homes to which the fair deal scheme should apply. It should not only apply if people go into a care home or an institutionalised setting. The Minister of State is very aware of my views on this issue which has become very apparent to me. Sometimes things do not become apparent until they hit one right between the eyes with ageing parents. One of the findings from a small study I carried out recently of the Civil Service is that the mean age of the staff is 46 years and many of them spend a great deal of their lives caring for elderly parents. We will all do it and will all face our own mortality and grow old.

I would like the Minister of State to consider including this amendment. Inherent in that guiding principle section is the bodily integrity of the human being and the protection of finance, but we must protect people in their homes and their decision-making on the place in which they want to reside. This brings up the point other Senators made about ensuring people are not being cared for by strangers who make decisions on the hoof. I would like the Minister of State to consider this genuine amendment.

I am only speaking to that amendment.

The Senator is only speaking to one amendment, even though she is entitled to speak to the others.

Unfortunately, I am not speaking to the others. This is the only amendment in my name and it is the only one to which I am speaking.

That is fair enough. I call Senator Cáit Keane.

Acting Chairman-----

I saw the Senator indicating but Senator Cáit Keane indicated first.

I will speak only to amendment No. 26 which is a reasonable one and states "in so far as that is practicable". What it proposes is the direction in which the health service should be moving and what it should be aiming to do. Increasingly, more rather than less care should be given in the home. I will speak to amendment No. 27 after Senator David Norris has spoken, as it is his amendment.

It was my error. My apologies to Senator David Norris. Amendment No. 27 is in his name.

That is no problem. I was called out of the Chamber to say hello to a group I had missed and which I was supposed to meet at 6.30 p.m. I apologise to the House.

Amendment No. 27 should not to be discussed with amendments Nos. 26 and 29, as it has not the remotest connection to either of them. There is no connection whatever. There is a reference in amendment No. 27 to section 121, but that section does not appear in the Bill, as it stands. It is amendment No. 244. Therefore, they could not have a clearer connection. As one amendment refers to the hypothetical new amendment, they should be grouped together, but amendment No. 27 should not be grouped with two amendments with which it is not related. The groupings are completely daft. I ask that we deal with amendments Nos. 26 and 29 now and that amendments Nos. 27, 239 and 244 be discussed together. That is the logical thing to do when the three amendments refer to each other.

I agree. Amendments Nos. 27, 239 and 244 refer to finances. If the Minister of State is agreeable, Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell's amendment No. 26 should be discussed with amendment No. 29.

It is sitting there as it were.

It is daft. I ask for the indulgence of the House.

I think we are all in agreement.

If there is not agreement on the groupings, the proposal falls, but we can discuss the amendments individually.

I suggest amendments Nos. 27, 239 and 244 be grouped.

That is agreed. We are dealing with amendment No. 26 now and that is all.

Yes. We will discuss amendments Nos. 27, 239 and 244 together.

That is agreed.

A victory for common sense.

I apologise for not being here for the taking of amendment No. 17 which I will resubmit on Report Stage. I am fully supportive of amendment No. 26 tabled by Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell. The Minister of State is very aware that the Senator tabled a motion in recent months on this very issue, on which we had an excellent debate in the House. What the Senator is trying to achieve is the principle and the right of people to have such a choice. She has appropriately added the words "in so far as that is practicable". She has included a safeguard appropriately and I support her proposal.

While I am very sympathetic to Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell's amendment, I have one concern which the Senator might address. Her amendment includes the words "in so far as that is practicable". I recall the turmoil of my elderly mother who wanted to live independently long after she was able to so do. At one stage, we had a nurse caring for her and over a period of six months, €54,000 was consumed. What caused us to make the final decision was finding her lying on the floor of her apartment, where she had been lying for several hours. We were confronted with the moral question as to whether we should make a decision for her. My mother was very lucid and was most of the time. It is that practical issue that I am trying to address. While I would like to support what the Senator said, I need that issue to be teased out a little more.

I want to clarify that we are discussing amendments Nos. 26 and 29 together.

I take Senator Gerard P. Craughwell's point. I am making a more general argument about the way we are "processing" older people. That is the word for it in the sense that we will not consider having the fair deal scheme applying to the home in the same way that it operates in care settings, but it would be helpful if could start there. In the Senator's case, it was not a practical option for his mother. Sometimes the decision is made. I have aged parents and there is nothing that teaches one how to proceed as quickly and as well as the human being in front of one. It is a more general look at how we should treat older people. We all talk about the dignity of protecting finances, bodily dignity and the dignity of the self, but people want to reside in their homes. This is not the only legislation which sought to bring this about, we are trying to do it from a community, social and health point of view. If I was standing in the next election for the Government, it would be an issue on which I would be standing, that people would have the right to stay in their home where it was practical and where it was medically and psychologically feasible. I understand the Senator's point, but I was talking about it as a generality. I believe that is the way we should be going. We should be looking at the home as the best place. I understand also that if the fair deal scheme applied in the home, the Senator might not have had to make the financial gift he had to make every week for care.

We would like to hear the Minister of State. The Senator has already made her case.

I apologise to the Minister of State.

I will speak first to amendment No. 29.

Amendments Nos. 26 and 29 are being discussed together.

Amendment No. 29 seeks to ensure the Bill complies with the Data Protection Acts - it is a technical amendment - by prescribing the data protection obligations that will arise for all interveners under section 8. All interveners will be obliged not to attempt to obtain or to use information acquired on a relevant person other than for the purposes of the decision. Interveners will also be required to ensure the relevant information is safely stored to prevent unauthorised access, use and disclosure. Furthermore, a requirement is proposed which would require an intervener to dispose of the information when that information is no longer required. I think that covers Senator David Norris's point on the deletion of text from another section; it is simply transposed and made stronger.

On amendment No. 26, tabled by Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell, we have had this discussion over and over again and are at one about what should happen, but the difficulty is that this is the wrong legislation. As the Senator rightly pointed out, there are many pieces of legislation into which these types of safeguard on will and preference should be inserted. Unfortunately, this Bill is not the appropriate place because none of us has a right to decide where we are going to live or how we are going to live in many ways. Of course, we can decide if we have loads of money and that is possible, but the Senator's general point is that in the event that someone is already in situ in a home and they do not want to move from there, they should be afforded the opportunity to address that issue.

It is nothing to do with this Bill, it is to do with the fair deal scheme. We did look in the review at whether it was possible to offer the fair deal scheme in the home. What we discovered is that if one were to apply it to a home, while it would be beneficial in certain circumstances it would not suit other people who do not have family to contribute because the fair deal scheme is very much based on a contribution from the person. Despite the fact that one would be quite willing to make such a contribution for care, one would still have to heat one's home, eat and provide for all of the other needs. There must be a different mechanism for doing that. What we must do is build up community services. Most of the factors that keep us well in our own community are issues outside of the remit of the Department of Health and the Minister of State with responsibility for older people.

The next Government should create a new Department of social care, which would bring all of those related issues together to ensure that people at a later stage in their life who might need to dip in and out of services and require additional health care or support would be allowed to stay in their own homes. Equally, we need additional nursing home beds because there are people such as Senator Gerard P. Craughwell's mother who are at a particular stage in life and no matter what one would put in place they cannot safely stay in their own homes.

I accept Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell's point, but, unfortunately, I cannot accept the amendment. I hope that in another piece of legislation we might be able to make a more reassuring and secure commitment to ensuring people can make choices about what they want. This Bill will allow people to make choices, but, first, there is a big learning curve to address in terms of telling people who need to make decisions now and for them to get those who agree with their point of view, which is important, to make decisions with them.

That is a very reasonable rebuttal. We spend €1,000 every week on one person in a nursing home.

That is cheap in some cases.

If families had that €1,000, under governance, would they not be prepared to provide care? Perhaps that is too creative. One could ask if there is a right place for legislative measures. I accept the point that the Bill concerns decision making and that if older people want to stay in their homes they cannot be forced out, if they have the capacity and wherewithal. However, where does one start with legislation? A measure such as the one I proposed should be enshrined in social, community, health and education legislation. I am in two minds as to whether to press the amendment. I appreciate the work that has been done on the Bill and that one cannot always have everything one wants.

I seek to reassure the Senator again. What we seriously need to do is start to create different types of community in order that one would not have circumstances whereby a person is in a home that is way too big for him or her, as a big house is difficult to heat and stairs are difficult to negotiate among other matters. Perhaps we need to start from the perspective of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in terms of creating different types of housing. I do not mean different types of community because I do not want people to be segregated. Members know my views in that regard. We must ensure we start to build more appropriate settings within communities for us as we age.

We continue all the time to create fragile environments and we put older people into them which makes them even more fragile. It is done in the name of health and safety, but, in fact, it is the closing down of their freedom. Some of them are so healthy and safe they are treated like babies and they are not allowed to think for themselves. In effect, their liberty is taken away from them, for example, because they broke their arm and there is nobody to make their dinner on a Saturday. I know the Minister has read the book by Atul Gawande, Being Mortal, and knows what we do to people when they get older. The model is outrageous. That is where politics should start - at the community level where people, if they want and can, stay in their towns and villages.

Manners will now be put on me by the Acting Chairman.

I just think the debate has gone on for some time and, in fairness to Senator Gerard P. Craughwell and others, we must move on with the Bill because of the number of amendments tabled.

I am not in any way inhibiting the debate; I am just making a suggestion that the Minister of State has spoken and responded.

May I make a very brief contribution?

I ask the Senator to be brief.

I will be very brief. Having listened to Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell, I support her position because I recall seeing one elderly lady in a nursing home who did not want to be there, who was perfectly capable of looking after herself and who cried every day.

It is called passive suicide.

As I advance in years, this measure would give me some degree of security that I might not be dumped at some stage, although why they would do it, I do not know.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendments Nos. 239 and 244 are related to amendment No. 27 and may be discussed together. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I move amendment No. 27:

In page 17, between lines 34 and 35, to insert the following:

“(7) In respect of financial affairs managed by the court, particular consideration of management and oversight in accord with the principles herein are stated in section 121.”.

Amendment No. 27 deals with the question of the special visitor to be appointed to supervise the affairs of a ward of court. One of the items that gives particular difficulty is the question of financial management. This has been a real thorn in the past. I know that it has been said that, taken overall, the results have not been as bad as might have been expected but in some cases they have been spectacularly horrible and we want to ensure that the financial interests of somebody who is not capable of directing those financial interests themselves is properly addressed.

Amendment No. 239 also deals with the qualifications of this particular person. The suggested wording is: "is a person who, although not a registered medical practitioner, is, in the opinion of the Director, a person who has particular knowledge, expertise and experience of financial matters,". In other words, we want somebody who is actually qualified, who has a knowledge of the markets and who will be able to give advice. There is no point in having a medical quack there. They may very well know what to prescribe in terms of medication, but they do not know what to prescribe in terms of investments in stocks, shares and bonds. What is required is a person who has financial expertise. The amendment includes a reference to "selected under paragraph (c), will be a representative of the NTMA,". The National Treasury Management Agency has a terrific record, a superb record in safeguarding the interests of the country. It is one group on which we can rely. The amendment also makes reference to the ability to "provide expert guidance on reinvestment of the financial portfolio to sustain costs necessary to the relevant person,". That is the whole point. One invests in order to get the money to provide for the sustenance, well-being and financial security of the person who is a ward of court. In addition, there is a requirement to "provide annual reports to the relevant person".

There was a period of many years during which no reports were provided, which meant there was no account whatsoever of stewardship. It is necessary that annual reports be provided in order that trustees or families can urge that a decision be made.

Amendment No. 244 deals with financial powers of oversight and management by the court and provides for what would happen in the absence of a suitable person to act as co-decision maker, or any other condition under which the court retains or assumes responsibility for the relevant person’s funds. In other words, where a question arises about the investment of the funds of a ward of court, the primary purpose of court management of the relevant person’s funds would be the provision of adequate financial support to provide for medical and sundry expenses, which is more or less what I have said. We need to ensure the correct personnel are put in place, which is the purpose of the first two amendments. We then need to set out what they will be required to do, which is the purpose of the third amendment, in ensuring the provision of adequate financial support in the investment of funds.

Subsection (3)(a) of amendment No. 244 is extremely important. It reads, "Assets must be invested in a manner designed to ensure the security, quality, liquidity and profitability of the portfolio as a whole, so far as is appropriate, having regard to the nature and duration of the expected liabilities". In other words, there would be a requirement for prudent investment. In the past this was not done and investment portfolios collapsed. There was an almost arbitrary and care-free approach to investment of the funds of persons who were not in a position to do it themselves.

Subsection (3)(b) provides that assets would have to be invested predominantly in regulated markets and so on. In other words, they would have to invested in safe areas. It would also provide that "investment in assets which are not admitted to trading on a regulated market must in any event be kept to a prudent level". I do not know to what exactly this refers. Perhaps it might relate to property folio investments such as investment in a block of apartments and so on. However, such investments would have to be kept to a prudent level. In other words, all of the eggs should not be put in the one basket.

Subsection (3)(c) reads, "Assets must be properly diversified in such a way as to avoid excessive reliance on any particular asset, issuer or group of undertakings and so as to avoid accumulations of risk in the portfolio as a whole. Investments in assets issued by the same issuer or by issuers belonging to the same group must not expose the scheme to excessive risk concentration". In other words, where possible, risk would have to be avoided. The average person in the street can be as careful as he or she likes and invest on speculative grounds, in which case he or she may make a killing or lose everything. That is his or her decision, but a person who is incapable of making these decisions is reliant on another person to invest prudently and diversify in such a way as to avoid excessive reliance on a particular asset.

Subsection (3)(d) would constrain those making investments, in most circumstances, from investing in derivative instruments. It was derivatives that caused the collapse of western European economies and the collapse started in the United States. The toxic bundles were put together by the clever stockbrokers and financial advisers who are still being consulted by the Government and appointed as advisers. Nobody knew what was in the bundles: they were just derivatives. The amendment would provide for constraint against excessive investment in such instruments which could only be made in so far as they would contribute to a reduction of investment risks or facilitate efficient portfolio management.

Subsection (4) reads, "Annual financial reports on the condition, progress, and management of relevant person’s funds; both liquid funds and investments; will be made available to (a) the court, and (b) relevant persons". Accountability is important.

Subsection (5) reads, "If an endowment as individual principal value falls by 10%, or more, within one financial quarter, the portfolio will be liquidised into cash...". I would like to give an example of where this would come into play, but I will, first, make some general remarks on the question of wardship. Where the High Court approves an award for personal injuries suffered and a plaintiff who is deemed to have a capacity deficit is made a ward of court because he or she does not have the capacity to make appropriate decisions for himself or herself, in respect of which he or she has no choice, funds are not released to meet his or her needs until such time as the process has been completed.

There have been many difficulties with ward of court funds which are held in investments by the Courts Service. Following a Committee of Public Accounts review in 2000, it was determined that no audits had been carried out for two decades. The Bill seeks to address that issue. The amendments to which I am speaking seek to strengthen and reinforce what is provided for in the Bill in that regard. Even after it was discovered that there had been no audits for 20 years, there was no look-back or review carried out. The Courts Service was then established and the accounts of the courts were computerised. The management of funds was put out to tender. The new structure provided for four strands of investment, some of which involved greater exposure to equities and bonds than others. Those that were heavily exposed fared poorly during the financial crisis and some wards' funds suffered serious losses. The Courts Service states the funds have performed well overall compared to similar funds. In this regard, key is the word "overall" because not all funds performed well and there are no similar funds. We are speaking not about regular investors but about vulnerable people under the protection of the State. There were no cash reserves held for wards of court to meet emergencies. It is extraordinary that a person would gamble on the Stock Exchange and not hold back a little to look after people in this position. There is a concern about the management, investment, auditing and accountability of funds. Funds were audited internally, but errors were not always picked up. An audit is instigated by the Courts Service, but as funds are not audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, there is no accountability. There is a sum of €1.5 billion in the funds.

I would like to outline a specific case which was brought to my attention by parents whose son, as far as I can recollect, had been injured, in respect of which he received compensation. In a two year period between May 2007 and April 2009 the fund diminished from €510,685.02 to €280,145.71; in other words, it was halved, but that is not the end of it. The last statement the parents received showed that the value of the fund at the end of 2014 was €186,490.85. This means that the fund had decreased from almost €511,000 to €186,000, which was an astonishing collapse and worse than the cut in my income as a Member of Seanad Éireann. According to the parents, a further €40,000 can be deducted from this amount for expenses in 2015. With little earnings, the fund will be down to almost €150,000 by the end of the year. The officials say the ward's fund will only last a few years. If it had been managed appropriately. he would not be in this position. In other words, the fund will have reduced from €510,000 to €150,000. In view of what it costs per year to care for this young man, €46,000, the money will be gone in less than four years. What is he to do then?

Quite apart from understanding the complex nature of these investments in unitised funds which have a strong exposure to equities, if one does simple maths, one will see that these funds have not recovered. When one takes the figure of €510,685, the value of the fund in May 2007, and deducts from it €186,490, the amount at the date of the last statement, one is left with a figure of €324,194.17. When this figure is divided by seven, the seven year period 2007 to 2004, one gets a figure of €46,313 per annum. The moneys drawn down during these years would not have reached this amount every year, but the point the parents of this young man make is that if they had kept the money in a drawer and drawn down only what was needed, their son would not be any worse off, yet the funds are in the Courts Service for their protection. In other words, had they kept the money under a mattress, they would be in at least as good, if not a better, position than they are having had the money invested. For this reason, the safeguards contained in the three amendments are vitally necessary to protect the welfare and interests of wards of court.

Our contention is that the Courts Service has failed in its duty of care to those vulnerable people and has been covering this up by saying overall funds have performed well. It is no excuse and it is not good enough. We need good governance for these funds. I am sorry if I have taken a while, but it is a complex matter and is at the kernel of the welfare of wards of courts because they are financially vulnerable. If we do not ensure best practice is followed for the people concerned, we are abandoning them to their fate. I urge the Minister of State to take on board the content of the amendments.

I wish to speak to amendment Nos. 27, 239 and 244. I support amendment No. 27 and the rest of the amendments. We have discussed the matter in detail for the past three weeks. I contacted the Minister of State's office about it when I saw this amendment. As Senator David Norris noted, the current situation has allowed the funds to dwindle. I have a graph showing how funds dwindled for one ward of court. The people around this individual knew nothing about it. It was all gone. They woke up in the morning and asked where it had gone. That is not good enough. We must ensure we do not let that happen. The funds are not nice collections of money. They are needed for the care of vulnerable citizens. As the economy changes - I grant we must be open - the funds invested will change. The least we are asking is that when they are dwindling, the people around wards of court are informed annually. As Senator David Norris noted, two decades passed without any audit of funds. That is not right. The amendments would change that and make the investment of funds transparent in respect of oversight and management.

In other areas, the Bill introduces a lot of transparency to the protection of the most vulnerable. In respect of managing money, we all know money sometimes attracts people who may not have the best interests of the person at heart. At least, everybody needs to know what is going on when the funds are managed by the courts. Amendments Nos. 27, 239 and 244 aim to bring about three changes that are crucial to making the Bill one that will work for the vulnerable person. They assert that the purpose of court management of funds is the support of the welfare of the relevant person, provide for annual reports on the funds for the court and the relevant person and establish a safeguard against the freefall of funds. Having spoken to people who speak for very vulnerable people, I know that the changes proposed in these three amendments are necessary and I ask the Minister of State to support them.

When we look at amendment No. 244, are we looking for something that is too certain? I would be prepared to reintroduce this amendment on Report Stage with sections 121(1)(a), 121(1)(b), 121(4)(a), 121(4)(b) and section 121(5) retained and sections 121(2), 121(3)(a), 121(3)(b), 121(3)(c) and 121(3)(d) removed. Section 3(a) states:

Assets must be invested in a manner designed to ensure the security, quality, liquidity and profitability of the portfolio as a whole, so far as is appropriate, having regard to the nature and duration of the expected liabilities.

This section might be looking for too much security. How does one ensure security? We would all love to know that in respect of every share we invest. I urge the Minister of State to accept amendments Nos. 27 and 239. We will be pressing the matter because we have discussed it previously. If Senator David Norris is in agreement, I would be prepared on Report Stage to look at retaining sections 121(1)(a), 121(1)(b), 121(4)(a), 121(4)(b) and 121(5) and removing 121(2),121(3)(a), 121(3)(b), 121(3)(c) and 121(3)(d) in respect of amendment No. 244. I am being more realistic in making a bit of a deal with the Minister of State in this regard. Senators Martin Conway and Maurice Cummins and I would like to support Senator David Norris in this regard. I thank Senator David Norris for carrying out a lot of research on it. I also thank the groups we met.

I probably came in a little too early when I raised this issue earlier. I also support what I referred to at the beginning of the debate. I support Senator David Norris. As Senator Cáit Keane so eloquently put it, it is important we ensure the most vulnerable people have money that is being invested. I add my support in that regard. I also ask the Minister of State to accept the amendment.

As the Fine Gael spokesperson on justice and equality, I commend Senators Cáit Keane and David Norris because this is the type of constructive-----

To be fair, Senator Cáit Keane initiated them.

This type of collaboration and discourse is what Seanad Éireann should be about. It is our responsibility to challenge the Government and this means Members on the Government side also. I am criticised because I probably do it too much. The money of the most vulnerable should not be subject to boom and bust, from which the rest of society suffers enough. I would probably have gone a step further than Senator David Norris and insisted that the investment be in blue chip Government bonds because I certainly would not trust the banks. We saw what happened to the banks and all that went with it.

I agree with the Senator. I would have excluded the diversified funds or whatever they call them - the derivatives. I would have kept them out altogether.

Perhaps there is justification for insisting on Report Stage that any new moneys that come in for any new people who find themselves in this situation be invested in guaranteed Government bonds and products. The only way we as citizens can offer blue chip assurance is by investing in Government bonds and products. We have a duty to do everything we can and to make sure this legislation underpins that to ensure it is guaranteed because, ultimately, we do not have the right to gamble with this set of resources.

I will not repeat what has been said, but I commend Senator David Norris for tabling these very important amendments. I mean no disrespect to the Parliamentary Counsel, but the amendments are very well drafted. I agree with colleagues on the opposite side that they should be accepted. The case outlined by Senator David Norris concerned an unfortunate individual who ended up in dire financial straits because of the manner in which his money had been invested by the Courts Service.

I would go further and suggest he might have a legal case against the Courts Service because I consider it to have been completely irresponsible in the manner in which it invested that money. Moreover, as Senators David Norris and Cáit Keane have pointed out, it is totally unbelievable that in respect of an arm of the State, no audit has been conducted for more than two decades. I urge the Minister of State to accept the amendments. Perhaps, as Senator Cáit Keane suggested, too much financial security is being sought, but when one is dealing with wards of court and vulnerable people, I do not think one can have too much security. Consequently, if the Minister of State cannot accept the amendments now, I urge her to agree to consider them again on Report Stage.

I listened with interest because as public representatives, this issue has come to the attention of all Members, namely, the awful devastation when people receive a statement and make a discovery about money they believed to be absolutely secure and people will ask how much more secure can it be than when the courts are minding it for them. However, we are moving away from a courts system, which is why the amendments are not relevant. While I understand perfectly what the Senator is saying, as soon as the Bill is enacted everyone will be out of wardship within a three-year period. Their funds will be returned to them to manage as they please, in some cases with co-decision-makers, and with the advice of people such as their bank manager, a financial adviser, their parents or perhaps a friend who has knowledge of these matters.

I commend the Senator's foresight because the Government is moving away from a court-based system. While the Bill was being debated in the Dáil, one amendment proposed the extension of wardship should be done within six months and the argument was put to the Government that this could not be done because some people are ready right now to exit wardship. Some people will not be ready even at the end of the three-year period. I refer to the need to put together the security package that gives them the freedom to make those decisions for themselves, but on exiting wardship, their funds will be returned to them. The Government has asked for advice on the three amendments and, in particular, sought advice from the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA, because its staff, as Senator DAvid Norris rightly observed, have more expansive knowledge in this regard and they worry that perhaps it might not be beneficial to the individuals involved, except for people who receive enormous sums. Moreover, even this will change in the future, in terms of how payments will be made.

In the case of such repayments, for instance, where a child is damaged at birth, the Government is changing to a more progressive funding model whereby people will be paid through their lives rather than expecting to invest. Even though it is an enormous sum, as the Senator noted, one has no indication as to what can happen in respect of stocks, bonds and all those things unless one puts it into the drawer at the bottom of the bed and does nothing with it. That is the only protection, but I am not certain it would last very long. However, the Government is moving away from wardship and moving away entirely from a court-protected system and people then will be empowered, with protections and advice from whomsoever they choose in respect of those matters. Everyone then must trust that the right decisions will be made; people sometimes do not but then again, that is what the Bill is about, namely, the right to make the wrong decision for oneself, because we all make wrong decisions. While I commend the Senator's foresight, the Government is moving away from what she is proposing and I know that she will appreciate that.

While I recognise we are moving away from it, in so doing provisions are being inserted in Chapter 3 of Part 9 regarding special visitors and general visitors.

That is what amendment No. 239 is about, namely, a person who is a special visitor and designated to advise is a person who has financial expertise. As Senator David Norris noted, there is no point in such a person having medical expertise. It will be necessary to have financial "expertise and experience of financial matters, as respects the capacity of persons", even though that person might not be a medical practitioner. While I grant to the Minister of State that we are moving away from the courts, this is why such a provision is still needed. However, in moving away from the courts, I note the Bill contains absolutely nothing in respect of the special visitor or the person put in care to specify there should be an annual report or financial statement to that person. This is absolutely relevant for transparency and is necessary.

I was about to raise that point mentioned by Senator Cáit Keane on the special visitor and advice for a person when he or she comes out of wardship of court. This must be specific and, as Senator Cáit Keane stated, it must be someone with financial expertise. In addition, adequate advice ought to be on hand for the relevant family members who perhaps are not au fait with the worlds of banking, finance or investment. It can be daunting for such people to be obliged to manage money also.

The Minister of State is inclined to be helpful, albeit only up to a limited point. She has stated we are moving away from wards of court and while that may be true, the Bill addresses wards of court. That is what it is about and its central plank pertains to wards of court.

Extinguishing it.

Yes, but it still deals with it and makes provision for it as it stands. As for the period of three years or whatever it is, what about a person who is severely disabled mentally and has no relations? What happens to him or her?

The court will appoint.

Wait one minute. The Minister of State has stated the funds will be given back to the people.

She then went on to say they should be allowed to make mistakes like everybody else. Is it responsible on the part of society to hand somebody who is brain-damaged a huge bunch of money and tell him or her to go off and make mistakes? That is Reaganomics; it really is western capitalism at its worst to let people have their pensions and then to allow them rot in the gutter. I do not believe in letting people who are so disadvantaged make mistakes. Proper safeguards are needed to ensure they do not make mistakes. One cannot project what will happen three years into the future. There always will be people who will be reliant on guidance of whatever kind and to include this amendment, even if it is guidance for future legislation, is absolutely necessary. I am proposing an annual report in the light of the fact that there were no audits of any kind and no account given for two decades. This appears blindingly obvious to me and even were it only for the next three years, it would be absolutely necessary in the light of the history of these funds.

I support Senator David Norris's comments on cases in which there is nobody-----

We are not throwing people into the gutter.

No, no one is throwing anybody into the gutter.

Creating the financial circumstances to put them in the gutter-----

No, I am saying-----

----- if one lets them make their mistakes.

No, there will be circumstances in which nobody will be there to take care. The court then will appoint and the court will be responsible. That is what this is about, that is, in any situation in which a person is not available or deemed unsuitable to act as a decision-maker, the court retains this responsibility. While the court retains responsibility, Members are trying to ensure that within that responsibility, there must be safeguards for the people themselves. Such responsibility will come out through an annual report to the court and the person appointed, to make that quite clear. While a court may appoint a person, I refer to the elapse of two decades without an audit and it is to be hoped this kind of thing would not happen again. The purpose of the amendment is to try to bring greater transparency to the process.

There will be enough concern in respect of this legislation among families who have somebody with a disability. I now am speaking directly to the people with that experience because I acknowledge there is concern that this somehow is going too far or that it is giving a level of discretion to certain people who do not have capacity. While I accept this, the type of language expressed by the Senator really is not helpful.

Clearly, if someone does not have capacity, which is very rare, and does not have relations or a circle of friends to call on, the court will appoint. It will do so on the basis that the person it is appointing will have responsibility for the well-being of the person concerned, including his or her financial property and welfare. That is essential.

Everyone has the right to make a wrong decision. We hope to have people around us who love and respect us, who will be charged with caring for us and directing us. This is something we need to get our heads around. The director of the decision support service will be obliged to give financial information. It would not be appropriate for a special visitor to give that advice. For instance, what would happen if it did not work out? Would the person concerned be held liable? The director can give advice on financial matters and the possibilities in that regard rather than directing someone to invest. We all make these decisions every day. With enough support and decision makers around us, even people with limited capacity will be able to make them.

The courts will appoint a suitable person and the director will accommodate this by ensuring it is someone from a panel who will be an accountant or a fund manager and will have the expertise required to manage extensive funds. It is important that Senators realise we have made provision to cover all possibilities. We have been formulating the Bill for three years and there is not a single issue we have not come across or addressed. It is not the first time we have come across this issue. We all have. The special visitor would not be the appropriate person to do this as his or her remit is entirely different; it is to ensure the person concerned is properly looked after and, where there is an investigation to be held, that it takes place. The co-decision maker or person appointed to support the person who lacks capacity has to make a statement every single year, not to the courts but to the director. If he or she is appointed to advise on financial issues, he or she will have to make a statement to the director on those financial affairs. If the issue concerns health, welfare or other aspects, that is different. He or she has to make a return every single year to the director and, if the director finds that this has not happened, he or she will have the power to either remove the person or investigate the matter. There are extensive powers for the director and extensive safeguards for the relevant person. This needs to be understood.

There is not a single element in terms of amendments, suggestions or contributions of which we have not thought. Where we had not thought of something and where it was new and possible, we brought it forward by way of an amendment.

The Minister of State says it is the responsibility of the visitor to ensure the ward of court is properly looked after. How can the visitor do this if he or she does not have the money to do so? I cited the case of somebody whose principal asset had been reduced in value from €510,000 to €150,000.

The Senator and I both know that that has absolutely nothing to do with the Bill.

I call Senator Cáit Keane.

No. I was only allowing the Minister of State to interrupt me because I am very courteous. There has to be some engagement on financial matters on the part of the visitor. It is very difficult for people with limited mental capacity. There are lots of people of complete sound mind who are useless in dealing with stocks and shares. What hope does somebody with reduced capacity have? I simply do not know the answer. I am in direct contact with people who are not happy and will not be happy with the Minister of State's response either. Is she is prepared to give any consideration to the amendments?

The Minister of State has spoken about the annual financial reports going to the director. Amendment No. 244 reads:

Annual financial reports on the condition, progress, and management of relevant person’s funds; both liquid funds and investments; will be made available to—

(a) the court, and

(b) relevant persons.

The Minister of State has said there will be a report to the court, which is fine. She is saying subsection (a) is satisfied by the report going to the director, while subsection (b) refers to relevant persons. Perhaps I might be helpful by suggesting we all put our heads together and look at the matter again before Report Stage. I want to see openness, transparency and responsibility in dealing with funds.

Is the amendment being withdrawn?

I await the Minister of State's reply.

I would be quite prepared to look at the issue before Report Stage if that would be helpful.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Government amendment No. 28:
In page 18, line 27, to delete “relevant”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 29:
In page 18, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following:
“(10) The intervener, in making an intervention in respect of a relevant person—
(a) shall not attempt to obtain relevant information that is not reasonably required for making a relevant decision,
(b) shall not use relevant information for a purpose other than in relation to a relevant decision, and
(c) shall take reasonable steps to ensure that relevant information—
(i) is kept secure from unauthorised access, use or disclosure, and
(ii) is safely disposed of when he or she believes it is no longer required.”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 8, as amended, agreed to.
Section 9 agreed to.

I propose that the sitting be suspended until 8.45 p.m.

The Minister of State needs a break.

The Minister of State needs to pee.

Sitting suspended at 8.40 p.m. and resumed at 8.45 p.m.
SECTION 10
Government amendment No. 30:
In page 19, line 14, to delete “person” where it firstly occurs and substitute “person who has also attained that age”.

Amendments Nos. 30 to 42, inclusive, and amendments Nos. 44 and 45 are related and may be discussed together.

Amendments Nos. 30 to 42, inclusive, and amendments Nos. 44 and 45 propose to align the provisions relating to decision-making assistants with those already agreed for co-decision makers. Amendment No. 30 is intended to clarify that a person must be 18 years or over to be appointed as a decision-making assistant, reflecting the responsibility involved in supporting decision-making by a vulnerable person. I propose amendment No. 31 arising from the consultations held with disability groups last month. A request was made that a relevant person should be able to have more than one decision-making assistant. I explored the feasibility of the request and I am pleased to propose an amendment which will allow a person to appoint more than one decision-making assistant. This will enable an elderly mother to appoint all of her children to act as decision-making assistants and to have the right to source information on her behalf.

Amendment No. 32 proposes to delete subsections (6) to (12), inclusive. This is to align the provisions on assisted decision-making with those already agreed for co-decision-making. Amendment No. 33 proposes to align the categories of persons who will not be eligible to be decision-making assistants with those agreed for co-decision-makers. The provisions are largely similar to those already in place in regard to decision-making assistants.

Amendment No. 34 proposes that a decision-making assistant's agreement will be null and void if there is a decision-making order, decision-making representation order, advanced health care directive or a registered enduring power of attorney already in place in respect of the decisions encompassed by the decision-making assistant agreement. The reason for this amendment is if a person has a decision-making representative to take decisions on these matters it confirms that the relevant person lacks capacity to make these decisions.

Amendment No. 35 proposes to insert a new section 13 to align the categories of persons disqualified from being decision-making assistants with those already agreed for co-decision-makers; for example, a spouse or civil partner will be disqualified if they separate from the relevant person and if the marriage or civil partnership is dissolved. Similarly, a cohabitant will be disqualified if they separate from the relevant person. These provisions are intended to protect the relevant person against a former partner seeking to use the person's incapacity to gain control over the person's property and affairs. The provisions are largely similar to those already set out in the Bill in regard to decision-making assistants. As a new provision they provide for the situation in which a civil partnership is annulled or dissolved in a State other than Ireland. The ex-civil partner would be disqualified from acting as a decision-making assistant in these circumstances.

Section 13 retains the provision which disqualifies persons from being decision-making assistants if they have had, for example, safety or barring orders issued against them in respect of the relevant person. The existing provisions preventing a person from acting as a decision-making assistant on property and affairs, if convicted of fraud, etc., is also retained.

Amendment No. 35 seeks to make clear that the functions of a decision-making assistant will be as specified in the decision-making agreement. It is intended to underline the control that will continue to be exercised by the relevant person over the agreement. As previously indicated, he or she will be free to revoke the agreement at any time.

Amendment No. 36 is intended to make clear that the decision-making assistant’s role will be to assist the appointer in accessing relevant information. Relevant information is defined as information to which the appointer is entitled and that is needed for the purposes of the decision. The objective is to ensure a decision-making assistant does not seek to use the role to source other information that is not relevant to the decision. Amendment No. 37 is a technical amendment to clarify the intent of the provision. Amendments Nos. 38 to 42, inclusive, are drafting amendments to make the provisions clearer. Amendment No. 44 inserts a new provision to clarify that a relevant decision is the appointer’s decision, even if taken with a decision-making assistant.

Amendment No. 45 proposes to insert a new section 12 dealing with complaints in relation to decision-making assistants. The new section mirrors section 27 of the Bill which deals with complaints against co-decision-makers. The proposed new section sets out new provisions enabling complaints to be made about the suitability or conduct of decision-making assistants. Provision is made for the director, having been satisfied that a complaint is well founded, to apply to court for a determination. An additional safeguard is provided by allowing the director to investigate a matter and bring it to court notwithstanding that no complaint has been received.

I welcome amendment No. 31, in particular, which provides for flexibility in the terms and number of decision-making assistants that an individual can choose. I welcome also amendment No. 45. We will get to amendment No. 162. These amendments provide for safeguards in the form of clarifying how complaints can be made about co-decision-makers and decision-making representatives, especially those who may be acting beyond the scope of their authority or failing to respect the individual's will and preferences. They are welcome additions to the Bill.

I, too, welcome amendment No. 31. It is important that decision-making can be shared among siblings, relations, friends or whoever and that it is not all placed on one person. That one can appoint more than one person is welcome.

In respect of people with an intellectual disability, in particular, the advice when appointing people to various committees has always been that one should appoint two people in order that the person with the intellectual disability would have somebody to rely on, somebody to act as a friend and adviser because he or she can feel isolated, as we heard.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 31:
In page 20, to delete lines 11 to 18 and substitute the following:
"(5) An appointer may, in the decision-making assistance agreement, appoint more than one person as a decision-making assistant and may
specify that the decision-making assistants shall act-
(a) jointly,
(b) jointly and severally, or
(c) jointly in respect of some matters and jointly and severally in respect of other matters.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 32:
In page 20, to delete lines 19 to 42, and in page 21, to delete lines 1 to 32.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 10, as amended, agreed to.
NEW SECTIONS
Government amendment No. 33:
In page 21, between lines 32 and 33 to insert the following:
"Persons who are not eligible to be decision-making assistants
11. (1) A person shall not be eligible for appointment as a decision-making assistant if he or she-
(a) has been convicted of an offence in relation to the person or property of the person who intends to appoint him or her,
(b) has been the subject of a safety or barring order in relation to the person who intends to appoint him or her,
(c) is an undischarged bankrupt or is currently in a debt settlement arrangement or personal insolvency arrangement or has been convicted
of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty,
(d) is a person in respect of whom a declaration under section 819 of the Act of 2014 has been made or is deemed to be subject to such a
declaration by virtue of Chapter 5 of Part 14 of that Act,
(e) is a person who is subject or is deemed to be subject to a disqualification order, within the meaning of Chapter 4 of Part 14 of the Act of
2014, by virtue of that Chapter or any other provisions of that Act,
(f) is a person who is -
(i) the owner or registered provider of a designated centre or mental health facility in which the person who intends to appoint him or her as decision-making assistant resides, or
(ii) residing with, or an employee or agent of, such owner or registered provider, as the case may be,
unless the person is a spouse, civil partner, cohabitant, parent, child or sibling of the person who intends to appoint him or her as decision-making assistant,
(g) has been convicted of an offence under section 31, 72, 73 or 128, or
(h) previously acted as decision-making assistant for the person who intends to appoint a decision-making assistant and there was a finding
by the court under this Part that he or she should not continue as decision-making assistant for that person.
(2) Subsection (1)(c), (d) and (e) shall not apply where it is proposed to give the person functions relating to personal welfare only.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 34:
In page 21, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following:
"Nullity
12. Where an event specified in any of paragraphs (a) to (c) occurs, a decision-making assistance agreement shall, with effect from the date on which the event occurs, be null and void to the extent that the decision-making agreement relates to a relevant decision where there is, in respect of the relevant decision -
(a) a decision-making order, a decision-making representation order or a co-decision-making agreement in relation to the appointer,
(b) an advance healthcare directive made by the appointer and the appointer lacks capacity, or
(c) an enduring power of attorney or enduring power under the Act of 1996 made by the appointer that has entered into force."
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 35:
In page 21, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following:
"Disqualification as decision-making assistant
13. (1) A decision-making assistant shall, with effect from the date on which an event specified in paragraphs (a) to (c) occurs or, in the case of an event specified in paragraph (d), at the expiry of the period referred to in that paragraph, and unless the decision-making assistance agreement provides otherwise, be disqualified from being a decision-making assistant for the appointer where the decision-making assistant is the spouse of the appointer and subsequently -
(a) the marriage is annulled or dissolved either-
(i) under the law of the State, or
(ii) under the law of another state and is, by reason of that annulment or dissolution, not or no longer a subsisting valid marriage under the law of the State,
(b) either a decree of judicial separation is granted to either spouse by a court in the State or any decree is so granted by a court outside the State and is recognised in the State as having like effect,
(c) a written agreement to separate is entered into between the spouses, or
(d) subject to section 2(2),the spouses separate and cease to cohabit for a continuous period of 12 months.
(2) A decison-making assistant shall, with effect from the date on which an event specified in paragraph (a) or (b) occurs or, in the case of an event specified in paragraph (c),at the expiry of the period referred to in that paragraph, and unless the decision-making assistance agreement provides otherwise, be disqualified from being a decision-making assistant for the appointer where the decision-making assistant the civil partner of the appointer and subsequently -
(a) the civil partnership is annulled or dissolved (other than where the dissolution occurs by virtue of the parties to that civil partnership marrying each other) either-
(i) under the law of the State, or
(ii) under the law of another state and is, by means of that annulment or dissolution not or no longer a subsisting valid civil partnership under the law of the State,
(b) a written agreement to separate is entered into between civil partners, or
(c) subject to section 2(2), the civil partners separate and cease to cohabit for a continuous period of 12 months.
(3) Subject to section 2(2), a decision-making assistant shall, at the expiry of the period referred to in this subjection, and unless the decision-making assistance agreement provides otherwise, be disqualified from being a decision-making assistant for the appointer where the decision-making assistant is the cohabitant or the appointer and subsequently the cohabitants separate and cease to cohabit for a continuous period of 12 months.
(4) Subject to subsection (6), where, subsequent to the appointment of a decision-making assistant -
(a) the decision-making assistant is convicted of an offence in relation to the person or property of the appointer or the person or property of a child of the appointer,
(b) a safety or barring order is made against the decision-making assistant in relation to the appointer or a child of the appointer,
(c) the decision-making assistant becomes an undischarged bankrupt or subject to a debt settlement arrangement or personal insolvency arrangement which is current or is convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty,
(d) the decision-making assistant becomes a person in respect of whom a declaration under section 819 of the Act of 2014 has been made or is deemed to be subject to such a declaration by virtue of Chapter 5 of Part 14 of that Act,
(e) the decision-making assistant becomes a person who is subject or is deemed to be subject to a disqualification order within the meaning of Chapter 4 of Part 14 of the Act of 2014 by virtue of that Chapter or any other provisions of that Act,
(f) the decision-making assistant becomes-
(i) the owner or registered provider of a designated centre or mental health facility in which the appointer resides, or
(ii) a person residing with, or an employee or agent of, such owner or registered provider, as the case may be, unless the decision-making assistant is a spouse, civil partner, cohabitant, parent, child or sibling of the appointer,
(g) the decision-making assistant is convicted of an offence under sections 31, 72, 73 or 128 or
(h) the decision-making assistant-
(i) enters into a decision-making assistance agreement as a relevant person,
(ii) enters into a co-decision-making agreement as a relevant person,
(iii) has an enduring power of attorney or enduring power under the Act of 1996 registered in respect of himself or herself, or
(iv) becomes the subject of a declaration under section 34(1),
the decision-making assistant shall be disqualified from being a decision-making assistant for the appointer with effect from the date on which the decision-making assistant falls within any of paragraphs (a) to (h).
(5) Subsection (4)(c), (d) and (e) shall not apply insofar as the decision-making assistant's functions under the decision-making assistance agreement relate to personal welfare.".
Amendment agreed to.
SECTION 11
Government amendment No. 36:
In page 21, line 34, to delete "The functions of a decision-making assistant shall be-" and substitute the following:
"In exercising his or her functions as specified in the decision-making assistance agreement, the decision-making assistant shall-".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 37:
In page 21, to delete lines 35 to 37 and substitute the following:
"(a) assist the appointer to obtain the appointer's relevant information,".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 38:
In page 21, line 38, to delete "to advise" and substitute "advise".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 39:
In page 22, line 1, to delete "to ascertain" and substitute "ascertain".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 40:
In page 22, line 2, to delete "to assist" and substitute "assist".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 41:
In page 22, line 4, to delete "to assist" and substitute "assist".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 42:
In page 22, line 5, to delete "to endeavour" and substitute "endeavour".
Government amendment No. 43:
In page 22, to delete lines 6 to 14,
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 44:
In page 22, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following:
"(5) A relevant decision taken by the appointer with the assistance of the decision-making assistant is deemed to be taken by the appointer for all purposes.".
Amendment agreed to.
Section 11, as amended, agreed to.
NEW SECTION
Government amendment No. 45:
In page 22, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following:
"Complaints in relation to decision-making assistants
12. (1) A person may make a complaint in writing to the Director concerning one or both of the following matters:
(a) that a decision-making assistant has acted, is acting, or is proposing to act outside the scope of his or her functions as specified in the
decision-making assistance agreement;
(b) that a decision-making assistant is unable to perform his or her functions under the decision-making assistance agreement;
(c) that fraud, coercion or undue pressure was used to induce the appointer to enter into the co-decision-making agreement.
(2) Following the receipt of a complaint under subsection (1), the Director shall carry out an investigation of the matter which is the subject of the
complaint and-
(a) where he or she is of the view that the complaint is well founded, make an application to the court for a determination in relation to a matter
specified in the complaint, or
(b) where he or she is of the view that the complaint is not well founded, notify the person who made the complaint of that view and provide
reasons for same.
(3) A person who receives a notification under subsection (2)(b) may, not later than 21 days after the date of issue of the notification, appeal to the court a decision of the Director that the complaint is not well founded.
(4) The Director may, notwithstanding that no complaint has been received, on his or her own initiative carry out an investigation and make an
application to the court for a determination in relation to any matter specified in subsection (1).
(5) The court may-
(a) pursuant to an application to it under subsection (2)(a) or (4),or
(b) pursuant to an appeal under subsection (3),
make a determination in relation to a matter specified in subsection (1) and may, if it considers it appropriate, determine that a decision-making
assistant shall no longer act as such in relation to the appointer concerned.".
Amendment agreed to.
Section 12 deleted.
Section 13 agreed to.
SECTION 14
Government amendment No. 46:
In page 23, line 23, after "section" to insert "and section 15".
Amendment agreed to.

Amendments Nos. 47, 51, 58, 61, 62, 64, 65, 71, 81, 92, 93, 105, 108, 117, 118 and 132 are related and may be discussed together. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Government amendment No. 47:
In page 23, to delete line 33 and substitute the following:
"(b) is able to perform his or her function under the co-decision-making agreement.".

Amendments Nos. 47, 51, 58, 61, 62, 64, 65, 71, 81, 92, 93, 105, 108, 117, 118 and 132 are essentially technical points to address some issues needing to be resolved in the provisions on co-decision-making.

Amendment No. 47 proposes to amend the text that defines how a person may be considered suitable for appointment as a co-decision-maker. The person has to be "capable" of performing the role.

Amendment No. 71 proposes to amend the provisions relating to dissolution of civil partnership to encompass dissolutions occurring in other states. The former civil partner will be ineligible to act as a decision-making assistant or co-decision-maker.

Amendment No. 81 is intended to make clearer the remedies available to a third person if he or she unknowingly relies on a co-decision-making agreement which is later found to be null and void. My amendment proposes that the third party would not be prevented from recovering damages for any loss incurred as a result of unknowingly relying on a null and void co-decision-making agreement.

Amendment No. 92 proposes an additional ground for objection to the registration of a co-decision-making agreement, namely, that a false statement is included in the application to register the agreement. Amendment No. 93 is intended to specify more clearly that the director can take action only if an objection has been received within the time period of five weeks specified in subsection (1).

Amendment No. 105 proposes an additional provision that would allow the director to make inquiries where an incomplete report has been submitted and to be satisfied that the report is in order. This provision allows the director the flexibility to accept an incomplete report where the circumstances warrant it. The provision would benefit co-decision-makers who are caring for the relevant person and who may not have the time, because of that caring responsibility, to submit a report that is absolutely in line with the regulations but where the information submitted confirms that there are no issues arising with the operation of the co-decision-making agreement.

Amendment No. 108 clarifies that the basis for complaint against a co-decision-maker is that he or she is acting outside the scope of his or her functions. Senator Jillian van Turnhout clearly expressed her views in this regard.

Amendment No. 117 is intended to specify more precisely that the court can make a determination when an appeal has been made under the new subsection (3) and within the time limit of 21 days specified in that subsection.

Amendment No. 118 is a technical amendment to delete the phrase "which was the subject of a complaint to the Director". The reason for the amendment is that the court may make a determination both on an issue which was the subject of a complaint to the director and on an application made by the director where no complaint has been received. In the latter case, the director will make an application where he or she believes a serious issue has arisen in relation to the operation of the co-decision-making agreement which warrants consideration by the court.

Amendment No. 132 is a technical amendment to specify the cross-reference between the obligation in section 17(8) for an appointer or a co-decision-maker to notify the director of the nullity of a co-decision-making agreement and the corresponding provision in section 30 setting out the director’s role when this notice has been received.

I have a concern about amendment No. 65. I ask the Minister of State to listen to what I have to say and perhaps consider revising it and coming back to it on Report Stage. Amendment No. 65 provides that a co-decision-maker may refuse to acquiesce with an appointer's decision where it is reasonably foreseeable that the decision will result in harm to the appointer or another person. This is too restrictive in terms of the autonomy of the appointer. We all enjoy the dignity of risk to take decisions that can carry a risk of harm to ourselves. For example, if the appointer wishes to consent to a new surgery which she believes will benefit her condition but the surgery has a reasonably foreseeable risk of harm, would we really want a co-decision-maker to be able to prevent her from taking that decision? The amendment should be revised to ensure the harm, in addition to being reasonably foreseeable, should be imminent and of a grave nature.

That would bring the Bill closer to its goal of respecting the will and preferences of the person concerned. I ask the Minister of State to take another look at the amendment because I have a concern about offering choice. I argue all the time for what is in the best interests of the child. I realise we are all allowed to make decisions as adults that may not necessarily be in our best interests. That is what we want to do and we should be allowed to do so. This amendment is not in keeping with the spirit of the Bill. We should, therefore, consider inserting the words "imminent and of a grave nature". Who will have the power to make a decision about undergoing new surgery?

I will look at the matter.

I thank the Minister of State.

Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 48:
In page 24, line 10, to delete “subsection (7)” and substitute “subsection (7)(a)”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 49:
In page 24, line 13, to delete “subsection (7)” and substitute “subsection (7)(a)”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 50:
In page 24, line 17, to delete “subsection (7)” and substitute “subsection (7)(b)”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 51:
In page 24, line 26, to delete “(or the person signing on his or her behalf)” and substitute “, or the person signing on his or her behalf,”.
Amendment agreed to.

Amendments Nos. 52 and 109 are cognate and may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Government amendment No. 52:
In page 25, line 2, to delete “step-child,”.

Amendments Nos. 52 and 109 are technical amendments to remove the reference to "step-child" in the definition of "immediate family" that will apply under the Bill. That is because a step-child is considered to be a child of the family and does not need to be referenced separately in the definition.

Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 53:
In page 25, line 7, to delete “of the relevant person”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 14, as amended, agreed to.
SECTION 15
Government amendment No. 54:
In page 25, line 16, to delete “or” where it firstly occurs and substitute “or is”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 55:
In page 25, to delete lines 25 to 31 and substitute the following:
“(f) is a person who is—
(i) the owner or registered provider of a designated centre or mental health facility in which the person who intends to appoint him or her as co-decision-maker resides, or
(ii) residing with, or an employee or agent of, such owner or registered provider, as the case may be, unless the person is a spouse, civil partner, cohabitant, parent, child or sibling of the person who intends to appoint him or her as co-decision-maker,”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 56:
In page 25, line 32, to delete “section 128” and substitute “section 31, 72, 73 or 128”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 57:
In page 25, line 37, to delete “contains only” and substitute “relates only to”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 15, as amended, agreed to.
SECTION 16
Government amendment No. 58:
In page 26, lines 2 to 5, to delete all words from and including “(1) A” in line 2 down to and including line 5.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 59:
In page 26, line 6, after “functions” to insert “as specified in the co-decision-making agreement”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 60:
In page 26, line 11, to delete “them” and substitute “the appointer’s will and preferences”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 61:
In page 26, to delete lines 12 to 14 and substitute the following:
“(c) assist the appointer to obtain the appointer’s relevant information,”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 62:
In page 26, to delete line 15 and substitute the following:
“(d) discuss with the appointer the known alternatives and likely outcomes of a relevant decision,”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 63:
In page 26, to delete lines 19 to 26.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 64:
In page 26, to delete lines 34 to 39, and in page 27, to delete lines 1 to 3 and substitute the following:
“(7) Where—
(a) after an application has been made under section 18 to register a co-decision-making agreement but before registration of the agreement, or
(b) after registration of a co-decision-making agreement, the co-decision-maker or any person specified in section 18(3) has reason to believe that the appointer’s capacity has—
(i) deteriorated to the extent that he or she lacks capacity in relation to the relevant decisions which are the subject of the co-decision-making agreement even with the assistance of a co-decision-maker, or
(ii) improved to the extent that he or she has capacity in relation to the relevant decisions which are the subject of the co-decision-making agreement, he or she shall promptly inform the Director of that belief.”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 65:
In page 27, to delete lines 4 to 8 and substitute the following:
“(8) In this Part, a reference to a relevant decision being made jointly means that a co-decision-maker—
(a) shall acquiesce with the wishes of the appointer in respect of the relevant decision, and
(b) shall not refuse to sign a document referred to in section 20(3), unless it is reasonably foreseeable that an action pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) will result in harm to the appointer or to another person.”.

Is the Minister of State willing to reconsider moving the amendment?

The amendment can be moved on the basis that it can be recommitted on Report Stage, if needs be.

Amendment No. 65 is a Government amendment.

I appreciate that fact. I had suggested the matter be looked at again.

I ask the Minister of State to clarify the matter.

There is no need as she has agreed to look at it again.

I will take another look at the matter and we will come back-----

Is the amendment being agreed to?

Is the Minister of State withdrawing the amendment, or does she want to have it agreed to?

No, I want it to be agreed to, but I will come back on it on Report Stage.

Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 66:
In page 27, line 10, to delete “in relation to those specified in respect of him or her” and substitute “the relevant decisions specified”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 16, as amended, agreed to.
SECTION 17
Government amendment No. 67:
In page 27, line 16, after “in” to insert “any of”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 68:
In page 27, line 18, to delete “it” and substitute “the co-decision-making agreement”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 69:
In page 27, line 24, after “attorney” to insert “or enduring power under the Act of 1996”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 70:
In page 27, line 26, after “in” where it firstly occurs to insert “any of”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 71:
In page 28, to delete lines 7 and 8 and substitute the following:
“(a) the civil partnership is annulled or dissolved (other than where the dissolution occurs by virtue of the parties to that civil partnership marrying each other) either—
(i) under the law of the State, or
(ii) under the law of another state and is, by means of that annulment or dissolution not or no longer a subsisting valid civil partnership under the law of the State,”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 72:
In page 28, lines 18 and 19, to delete “the appointment of a co-decision-maker” and substitute “the registration of a co-decision-making agreement”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 73:
In page 28, to delete lines 27 and 28 and substitute the following:
“(d) the co-decision-maker becomes a person in respect of whom a declaration under section 819 of the Act of 2014 has been made or is deemed to be subject to such a declaration by virtue of Chapter 5 of Part 14 of that Act,”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 74:
In page 28, line 31, after “Chapter” to insert “or any other provisions of that Act”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 75:
In page 28, to delete lines 32 to 37 and substitute the following:
“(f) the co-decision-maker becomes—
(i) the owner or registered provider of a designated centre or mental health facility in which the appointer resides, or
(ii) a person residing with, or an employee or agent of, such owner or registered provider, as the case may be,
unless the co-decision-maker is the spouse, civil partner, cohabitant, parent, child or sibling of the appointer,”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 76:
In page 28, line 38, to delete “section 128” and substitute “section 31, 72#, 73 or 128”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 77:
In page 29, line 2, after “attorney” to insert “or enduring power under the Act of 1996”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 78:
In page 29, line 4, to delete “an order under Part 5” and substitute “a declaration under section 34(1)”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 79:
In page 29, line 6, to delete “shall” and substitute “should”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 80:
In page 29, line 11, to delete “contains” and substitute “relates to”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 81:
In page 29, to delete lines 12 to 23 and substitute the following:
“(8) Where a co-decision-making agreement which stands registered becomes null and void in whole or to the extent that it relates to one or more relevant decisions, the co-decision-maker or, in the case of nullity pursuant to subsection (6)(h)(iii) or (iv), his or her attorney, decision-making-representative or the court, as the case may be, shall notify the Director of such nullity and the particulars relating thereto.
(9) The nullity of a co-decision-making agreement or of a relevant decision contained therein shall not operate to prevent a person who relied on the agreement or the relevant decision from recovering damages in respect of any loss incurred by him or her as a result of that reliance.”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 17, as amended, agreed to.
SECTION 18
Government amendment No. 82:
In page 30, lines 20 and 21, after “co-decision-maker” to insert “under section 16”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 83:
In page 30, line 35, to delete “his or her” and substitute “their”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 84:
In page 31, line 7, to delete “details of the notice given” and substitute “a copy of any notice given”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 18, as amended, agreed to.
SECTION 19
Government amendment No. 85:
In page 31, line 12, to delete “whether—” and substitute “whether the following criteria are met:”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 86:
In page 31, to delete lines 15 and 16 and substitute the following:
“(c) the co-decision-maker is eligible for appointment within the meaning of section 15,”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 87:
In page 31, line 25, to delete “satisfied” and substitute “of the view”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 88:
In page 31, line 34, to delete “satisfied” and substitute “of the view”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 19, as amended, agreed to.
Section 20 agreed to.
SECTION 21
Government amendment No. 89:
In page 32, line 37, to delete “in respect of” and substitute “to make”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 90:
In page 33, line 1, to delete “in respect of” and substitute “to make”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 91:
In page 33, line 7, to delete “or falls under paragraphs (a) to (h) of section 15(1)” and substitute “or is not eligible for appointment by virtue of section 15”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 92:
In page 33, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following:
“(g) that a false statement is included in the application to register the co-decision-making agreement;”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 93:
In page 33, line 10, after “subsection (2),” to insert “which has been made in the time period specified in subsection (1),”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 21, as amended, agreed to.
Section 22 agreed to.
SECTION 23
Government amendment No. 94:
In page 34, line 28, to delete “whether—” and substitute “whether the following criteria are met:”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 95:
In page 34, line 30, to delete “falls” and substitute “does not fall”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 96:
In page 34, line 31, to delete “effectively”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 97:
In page 34, line 32, to delete “effectively”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 98:
In page 34, line 34, to delete “and”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 99:
In page 35, line 9, to delete “the matters in” and substitute “the criteria set out in”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 100:
In page 35, lines 9 and 10, to delete “does not, or no longer continues to, apply,” and substitute “does not apply,”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 101:
In page 35, line 16, to delete “the matters in” and substitute “the criteria set out in”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 102:
In page 35, lines 16 and 17, to delete “does not, or no longer continues to, apply,” and substitute “does not apply,”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 103:
In page 35, lines 20 and 21, to delete “does not, or no longer continues to, apply,” and substitute “does not apply,”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 23, as amended, agreed to.
SECTION 24
Government amendment No. 104:
In page 35, line 38, to delete “notice” and substitute “notification”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 105:
In page 35, to delete lines 40 to 42 and substitute the following:
“(4) Where a co-decision-maker fails to comply with a notification under subsection (3), the Director shall—
(a) in the case of the submission of an incomplete report and following any necessary enquiries to satisfy himself or herself that the report is substantially in accordance with this section and regulations made under section 28, accept the report as if it were in compliance with this section and the relevant regulations, or
(b) make an application to the court for a determination as to whether the co-decision-maker should continue as co-decision-maker for the appointer.”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 106:
In page 35, line 43, to delete “subsection (4)” and substitute “subsection (4)(b)”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 24, as amended, agreed to.
SECTION 25
Government amendment No. 107:
In page 36, line 16, after “and” where it firstly occurs to insert “, subject to section 14(6),”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 25, as amended, agreed to.
Section 26 agreed to.
SECTION 27
Government amendment No. 108:
In page 38, to delete lines 1 to 3 and substitute the following:
“(a) that the co-decision-maker has acted, is acting, or is proposing to act outside the scope of his or her functions under the co-decision-making agreement;”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 109:
In page 38, line 7, to delete “the” where it firstly occurs and substitute “an”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 110:
In page 38, line 9, to delete “the” and substitute “an”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 111:
In page 38, line 11, to delete “the” where it firstly occurs and substitute “an”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 112:
In page 38, line 14, to delete “the” where it firstly occurs and substitute “an”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 113:
In page 38, line 18, after “investigation” to insert “of the matter which is the subject of that complaint”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 114:
In page 38, between lines 23 and 24, to insert the following:
“(3) A person who receives a notification under subsection (2)(b) may, not later than 21 days after the date of issue of the notification, appeal a decision of the Director that the complaint is not well founded to the court.”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 115:
In page 38, line 25, after “to” to insert “the”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 116:
In page 38, line 28, to delete “subsection (2)” and substitute “subsection (2)(a)”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 117:
In page 38, to delete lines 29 and 30 and substitute the following:
“(b) pursuant to an appeal under subsection (3),”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 118:
In page 38, lines 31 and 32, to delete “which was the subject of a complaint to the Director”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 27, as amended, agreed to.
SECTION 28
Government amendment No. 119:
In page 38, lines 36 and 37, to delete all words from and including “make” in line 36 down to and including line 37 and substitute “prescribe by regulations the following matters:”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 120:
In page 38, line 38, to delete “prescribing”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 121:
In page 38, line 39, to delete “prescribing”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 122:
In page 39, line 2, to delete “prescribing”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 123:
In page 39, line 5, to delete “prescribing”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 124:
In page 39, line 7, to delete “prescribing”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 125:
In page 39, line 9, to delete “prescribing”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 126:
In page 39, line 11, to delete “prescribing”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 127:
In page 39, line 13, to delete “prescribing”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 128:
In page 39, line 16, to delete “prescribing”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 129:
In page 39, to delete line 22.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 130:
In page 39, line 23, to delete “prescribing”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 28, as amended, agreed to.
SECTION 29
Government amendment No. 131:
In page 39, line 25, after “Where” to insert “, under this Part,”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 29, as amended, agreed to.
SECTION 30
Government amendment No. 132:
In page 39, lines 35 and 36, to delete “notice of the nullity of a co-decision-making agreement or of a relevant decision which is the subject of a co-decision-making agreement,” and substitute “notification of nullity pursuant to section 17(8),”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 30, as amended, agreed to.
SECTION 31
Government amendment No. 133:
In page 40, line 7, to delete “shall be guilty of” and substitute “commits”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 134:
In page 40, lines 21 to 23, to delete all words from and including “a” where it secondly occurs in line 21 down to and including “disabilities,” in line 23 and substitute “a designated centre or mental health facility,”.
Amendment agreed to.
Question proposed: "That section 31, as amended, stand part of the Bill."

I wish to inform the House that I plan to bring amendments to this section on Report Stage. The amendments will involve the transfer of responsibility for legal representation, for those appearing before mental health tribunals, from the Mental Health Commission to the Legal Aid Board. This is something that we have been considering and were asked to do.

I also plan to bring forward amendments to provide for access to legal representation for persons facing capacity hearings under section 34 of the Bill. Again, this is an issue that we were asked to address in order to make sure people had access to legal aid.

That is brilliant.

Question put and agreed to.
Section 32 agreed to.
SECTION 33

Amendments Nos. 135 to 142, inclusive, are related and will be discussed together.

Government amendment No. 135:
In page 41, line 9, to delete "application," and substitute "application, and".

Amendments Nos. 135 to 142, inclusive, propose a series of amendments to the provisions regarding applications to court under Part 5. Amendments Nos. 135 to 137, inclusive, involve the deletion of the provision whereby the court can make a declaration in terms of a person’s capacity to marry. As the Bill is not altering the existing law in terms of marriage, it is not appropriate that the court should have a role in making a declaration regarding a person’s capacity to marry. The capacity to marry is governed by extensive statute law and common law which should more appropriately apply to it rather than this Bill.

Amendment No. 140 involves the deletion of provisions concerning costs for applications. It is appropriate that section 33(7)(a) should be deleted as the principle that the costs are borne by the parties who retain legal representation is a general one. There is no need to restate it in this legislation. It will apply to this Bill without having to be specifically referenced.

Similarly, with regard to section 33(7)(b), the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 will apply to proceedings under this Bill and there is no need to reference it specifically. I am removing a provision that might be detrimental to a relevant person in section 33(7)(c). As it stands, a person or an organisation can take an application to have a person declared as lacking capacity and can have the legal costs borne out of the person’s assets. That potentially creates the risk that a person might mischievously seek a declaration that another person lacks capacity to gain control of his or her assets. There would be no disincentive as the costs of the proceedings would be borne by the relevant person. I propose to remove this provision for this reason.

Amendment No. 142 is a technical amendment. As the Bill specifies the parties who are to be notified of applications, it is not appropriate for them to be determined by rules of court.

Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 136:
In page 41, line 11, to delete "applicant)," and substitute “applicant).".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 137:
In page 41, to delete lines 12 to 16.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 138:
In page 42, line 16 to 18, to delete all words from and including "power" in line 16 down to and including "section 58)" in line 18 and substitute "enduring power of attorney or enduring power under the Act of 1996".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 139:
In page 42, line 22, to delete "and which, to the applicant’s knowledge, still has any force or effect" and substitute "of which the applicant has knowledge".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 140:
In page 42, to delete lines 23 to 37.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 141:
In page 42, to delete line 40 and substitute "commenced, and".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 142:
In page 43, to delete lines 1 and 2.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 143:
In page 43, line 9, after "attorney" to insert ", attorney under the Act of 1996".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 144:
In page 43, line 11, after "attorney" to insert ", attorney under the Act of 1996".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 145:
In page 43, line 21, after "attorney" to insert ", attorney under the Act of 1996".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 146:
In page 43, line 23, after "attorney" to insert ", attorney under the Act of 1996".
Amendment agreed to.
Section 33, as amended, agreed to.
SECTION 34
Government amendment No. 147:
In page 44, line 10, to delete "application" and substitute "declaration".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 148:
In page 44, to delete lines 20 to 22.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 34, as amended, agreed to.
SECTION 35

Amendments Nos. 149 to 162, inclusive, are related. Amendment No. 158 is a physical alternative to amendment No. 157. They will all be discussed together.

Government amendment No. 149:
In page 45, line 12, to delete "suitable person" and substitute "suitable person who has attained the age of 18 years".

Amendments Nos. 149 to 162, inclusive, propose a series of amendments to align the provisions on decision-making representatives with those agreed for co-decision-makers. The intention is that the more robust safeguards agreed for co-decision-makers would be applied to decision-making representation.

Amendment No. 149 seeks to make clear that a person must be 18 years or over to be appointed as a decision-making representative in view of the level of responsibility potentially arising from this role. Amendment No. 150 seeks to clarify the boundaries that will apply between the functions of a decision-making representative and the terms of an advance health care directive or an enduring power of attorney. The court will be required to ensure the order appointing a decision-making representative is consistent with the terms of an advance health care directive and with the powers of a designated health care representative. The order will also have to be consistent with the terms of an enduring power of attorney and with the functions of an attorney. The reason they take precedence is because an advance health care directive and an enduring power of attorney are direct expressions of the will and preferences of the person.

Amendment No. 151 proposes to align the categories of person who will not be eligible to be decision-making representatives with those agreed for co-decision-makers. The provisions are largely similar to those in place in respect of decision-making representatives.

Amendment No. 152 inserts a new section 37. The section proposes to align the categories of person disqualified from being decision-making representatives with those agreed for co-decision-makers. A spouse or civil partner will be disqualified if he or she separates from the relevant person and if the marriage or civil partnership is dissolved. Similarly, a cohabitant will be disqualified if he or she separates from the person. These provisions are intended to protect the person against a former partner seeking to use the person’s incapacity to gain control over the person’s property and affairs. They are largely similar to those set out for decision-making representatives. One new provision is that they provide for a situation in which a civil partnership is annulled or dissolved in a state other than Ireland.

Amendment No. 153 proposes two new subsections which seek to respond to the concerns of Senators that the duty to ascertain the relevant person’s will and preferences be given priority. The first duty will be to ascertain, in so far as is possible, the person’s will and preferences. The second amendment proposes to move the provisions of subsection (4) to become subsection (2) of this section. The provisions are as agreed. The intention is to highlight the duty on the decision-making representative to act as the relevant person’s agent and in service to that person.

Amendment No. 154 moves the provisions, currently in section 38(5) into a new section. This is in the interests of clarity as the previous section 38 covered too many issues. No change is envisaged to the provisions as agreed.

Amendment No. 155 proposes to move the provision currently in section 36(8) into section 37 in the interests of structuring the Part more clearly. No change is envisaged to the provisions as agreed.

Amendment No. 158 proposes to modify the provisions of section 38(7) to specify that the scope available to a decision-making representative to make a decision on the carrying out or refusing of life-sustaining treatment is subject to the terms of an advance health care directive. Similarly, the amendment proposes that the decisions of a designated health care representative will take precedence over those of a decision-making representative on these matters. This is because the advance health care directive is the direct expression of the will and preferences of the relevant person on such matters. Equally, the designated health care representative will have been appointed specifically by the person to take these decisions if and when they arise.

Amendments Nos. 159 and 160 propose a new section 39 which set out the provisions that would apply in terms of the register of decision-making representatives. The provisions are in line with those agreed for co-decision-makers. It is proposed that the Minister would specify by regulation the bodies and classes of person entitled to access the register. In the interests of the person’s privacy, it is not appropriate that a register would be accessible to the public. However, it is intended that anyone needing to know if a person has a decision-making representative will be able to apply to the director for that information.

Amendment No. 161 proposes a new section 40 setting out the provisions relating to the reporting obligations to be imposed on the decision-making representative. These are in line with the provisions agreed for co-decision-makers. They retain the provisions in subsections (6) and (7) of section 36 but add a number of key protections. They set out the procedures that will apply if a decision-making representative fails to submit a report or submits an incomplete report. The director will contact the decision-making representative on this issue. If the decision-making representative continues to fail to submit a complete report, the director will have the power to apply to the court for a determination on whether the decision-making representative should continue in the role. It is important to add these provisions as a safeguard for the relevant person. Reporting is intended as the primary means by which the director will supervise the decision-making representative. The director will be unable to perform this supervisory function adequately if he or she does not have the possibility to engage with the decision-making representative on the reports or to seek the court’s determination where the representative fails to comply with the obligations.

Amendment No. 162 proposes a new section 41 which sets out the complaints mechanism that will apply where complaints are made against decision-making representatives. A person will be able to make a complaint where the representative is acting or proposing to act beyond the scope of the functions specified in the court order.

A person will be able to make a complaint where the representative is acting or proposing to act beyond the scope of the functions specified in the court order. A complaint will also be possible where the representative is not suitable such as where he or she is in conflict with the relevant person or not able to perform the role. It is proposed that the director will be able to investigate the complaint to see if it is well founded. If it is, he or she will be able to apply to the court for a determination. He or she will also be able to launch investigations on his or her own initiative. If a complaint is not well founded, the director will notify the complainant who will be able to appeal the decision to the court.

I have one concern about amendment No. 154 in this group. It provides that a decision making representative can not only be remunerated for expenses incurred in the performance of his or her duties but also if approved by the court. This payment will be made from the assets of the relevant person rather than by the State. I am concerned that this violates the constitutional right of the relevant person to private property. In addition to the human rights violation in having one's legal capacity to make decisions removed, the amendment ensures the person whose right to make decisions is being removed will also have to pay for the privilege of this violation through his or her own assets. I ask the Minister of State to reconsider the amendment.

If there is an issue with the amendment, we will definitely re-examine it.

Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 150:
In page 45, to delete lines 17 to 20 and substitute the following:
“(3) In making a decision-making order or decision-making representation order in relation to personal welfare, the court shall have regard to the terms of any advance healthcare directive made by the relevant person and shall—
(a) ensure that the terms of the order are not inconsistent with the directive, and
(b) where a decision-making representative is appointed, that his or her functions are not inconsistent with the directive or the relevant powers exercisable by any designated healthcare representative under the directive.
(4) In making a decision-making order or decision-making representation order, the court shall have regard to the terms of any enduring power of attorney made by the relevant person or enduring power under the Act of 1996 made by him or her and shall—
(a) ensure that the terms of the order are not inconsistent with the terms of the enduring power of attorney or enduring power under the Act of 1996, and
(b) where a decision-making representative is appointed, that his or her functions are not inconsistent with—
(i) the functions of an attorney under an enduring power of attorney, or
(ii) the duties and obligations of an attorney under the Act of 1996.”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 35, as amended, agreed to.
NEW SECTIONS
Government amendment No. 151:
In page 47, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
“Persons who are not eligible to be decision-making representatives
36. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a person shall not be eligible for appointment as a decision making representative if he or she—
(a) has been convicted of an offence in relation to the person or property of the relevant person or the person or property of a child of that person,
(b) has been the subject of a safety or barring order in relation to the relevant person or a child of that person,
(c) is an undischarged bankrupt or is currently in a debt settlement arrangement or personal insolvency arrangement or has been convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty,
(d) is a person in respect of whom a declaration under section 819 of the Act of 2014 has been made or is deemed to be subject to such a declaration by virtue of Chapter 5 of Part 14 of that Act,
(e) is a person who is subject or is deemed to be subject to a disqualification order, within the meaning of Chapter 4 of Part 14 of the Act of 2014, by virtue of that Chapter or any other provisions of that Act,
(f) is a person who is—
(i) the owner or registered provider of a designated centre or mental health facility in which the relevant person resides, or
(ii) residing with, or an employee or agent of, such owner or registered provider, as the case may be, unless the person is a spouse, civil partner, cohabitant, parent, child or sibling of
the relevant person, or
(g) has been convicted of an offence under section 31, 72, 73 or 128.
(2) Subsections (1)(c), (d) and (e) shall not apply as respects the appointment of a person as decision-making representative for relevant decisions concerning personal welfare matters only.”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 152:
In page 47, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
“Disqualification as decision-making representative
37. (1) A decision-making representative shall, with effect from the date on which an event specified in paragraphs (a) to (c) occurs or, in the case of an event specified in paragraph (d), at the expiry of the period referred to in that paragraph, be disqualified from being a decision-making representative for the relevant person where the decision-making representative is the spouse of the relevant person and—
(a) the marriage is annulled or dissolved either—
(i) under the law of the State, or
(ii) under the law of another state and is, by reason of that annulment or dissolution, not or no longer a subsisting valid marriage under the law of the State,
(b) either a decree of judicial separation is granted to either spouse by a court in the State or any decree is so granted by a court outside the State and is recognised in the State as having like effect,
(c) a written agreement to separate is entered into between the spouses, or
(d) subject to section 2(2), the spouses separate and cease to cohabit for a continuous period of 12 months.
(2) A decision-making representative shall, with effect from the date on which an event specified in paragraph (a) or (b) occurs or, in the case of an event specified in paragraph (c), at the expiry of the period referred to in that paragraph, be disqualified from being a decision-making representative for the relevant person where the decision-making representative is the civil partner of the relevant person and—
(a) the civil partnership is annulled or dissolved (other than where the dissolution occurs by virtue of the parties to that civil partnership marrying each other) either—
(i) under the law of the State, or
(ii) under the law of another state and is, by means of that annulment or dissolution not or no longer a subsisting valid civil partnership under the law of the State,
(b) a written agreement to separate is entered into between the civil partners, or
(c) subject to section 2(2), the civil partners separate and cease to cohabit for a continuous period of 12 months.
(3) Subject to section 2(2), a decision-making representative shall, at the expiry of the period referred to in this subsection, be disqualified from being a decision-making representative for the relevant person where the decision-making representative is the cohabitant of the appointer and the cohabitants separate and cease to cohabit for a continuous period of 12 months.
(4) Subject to subsection (5), where, subsequent to the appointment of a decision-making representative—
(a) the decision-making representative is convicted of an offence in relation to the person or property of the relevant person or the person or property of a child of the relevant person,
(b) a safety or barring order is made against the decision-making representative in relation to the relevant person or a child of the relevant person,
(c) the decision-making representative becomes an undischarged bankrupt or subject to a debt settlement arrangement or personal insolvency arrangement which is current or is convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty,
(d) the decision-making representative becomes a person in respect of whom a declaration under section 819 of the Act of 2014 has been made or is deemed to be subject to such a declaration by virtue of Chapter 5 of Part 14 of that Act,
(e) the decision-making representative becomes a person who is subject or is deemed to be subject to a disqualification order within the meaning of Chapter 4 of Part 14 of the Act of 2014 by virtue of that Chapter or any other provisions of that Act,
(f) the decision-making representative becomes—
(i) the owner or registered provider of a designated centre or mental health facility in which the relevant person resides, or
(ii) a person residing with, or an employee or agent of, such owner or registered provider, as the case may be, unless the decision-making representative is a spouse, civil partner, cohabitant, parent, child or sibling of the appointer,
(g) the decision-making representative is convicted of an offence under section 31, 72, 73 or 128, or
(h) the decision-making representative—
(i) enters into a decision-making assistance agreement as a relevant person,
(ii) enters into a co-decision-making agreement as a relevant person,
(iii) has an enduring power of attorney or enduring power under the Act of 1996 registered in respect of himself or herself, or
(iv) becomes the subject of a declaration under section 34(1), the decision-making representative shall be disqualified from being a decision-making representative for the relevant person with effect from the date on which the decision-making representative falls within any of paragraphs (a) to (h).
(5) Subsections (4)(c), (d) and (e) shall not apply to a decision-making representative insofar as he or she exercises functions under the decision-making representation order in relation to the personal welfare of the relevant person.
(6) Where a decision-making representative becomes disqualified under this section, he or she or, in the case of disqualification pursuant to subsection (4)(h)(iii) or (iv) his or her attorney, decision-making representative or the court, as the case may be, shall notify the Director and the court of such disqualification and the particulars relating thereto.
(7) Where a decision-making representative becomes disqualified, a relevant decision made solely by him or her after his or her disqualification shall be null and void.
(8) Subsection (7) shall not operate to prevent a person who relied on a relevant decision referred to in that subsection from recovering damages in respect of any loss incurred by him or her as a result of that reliance.”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 153:
In page 47, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
“Performance of functions of decision-making representative
38. (1) In exercising his or her functions as specified in the decision-making representation order, a decision-making representative shall, insofar as this is possible, ascertain the will and preferences of the relevant person on a matter the subject of, or to be the subject of, a relevant decision and assist the relevant person with communicating such will and preferences.
(2) A decision-making representative shall make a relevant decision on behalf of the relevant person and shall act as the agent of the relevant person in relation to a relevant decision.”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 154:
In page 47, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
“Remuneration and expenses
39. (1) Except where the court otherwise orders, a decision-making representative for a relevant person shall be entitled to be reimbursed out of the assets of the relevant person in respect of his or her fair and reasonable expenses which are reasonably incurred in performing his or her functions as such decision-making representative.
(2) Where the court so directs in a decision-making representation order, the decision-making representative shall be entitled to reasonable remuneration in relation to the performance of his or her functions as such decision-making representative and which functions are carried out in connection with his or her trade or profession, or in other exceptional circumstances specified in the order, and such remuneration shall be paid from the assets of the relevant person.”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 36 deleted.
SECTION 37
Government amendment No. 155:
In page 51, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following:
“(6) A decision-making representation order may provide for the giving of such security by the decision-making representative to the court as the court considers appropriate in relation to the proper performance of the functions of such decision-making representative.”.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 37, as amended, agreed to.
SECTION 38
Government amendment No. 156:
In page 52, to delete lines 1 to 26.
Amendment agreed to.
Amendment No. 157 not moved.
Government amendment No. 158:
In page 52, line 27, to delete “A decision-making representative” and substitute the following:
“Subject to the terms of any advance healthcare directive made by the relevant person and subject to relevant powers exercisable by any designated healthcare representative appointed under the directive, a decision-making representative”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 159:
In page 53, to delete lines 17 and 18.
Amendment agreed to.
Section 38, as amended, agreed to.
NEW SECTIONS
Government amendment No. 160:
In page 53, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following:
“Register of decision-making representation orders
39. (1) The Director shall establish and maintain a Register (in this Part referred to as “the Register”) of decision-making representation orders.
(2) The Register shall be in such form as the Director considers appropriate.
(3) The Director shall make the Register available for inspection by—
(a) a body or class of persons prescribed by regulations made by the Minister for this purpose, and
(b) a person who satisfies the Director that he or she has a legitimate interest in inspecting the Register.
(4) The Director may issue an authenticated copy of a decision-making representation order, or part thereof, on the Register on payment of a fee prescribed by regulations
made by the Minister to—
(a) a body or class of persons prescribed by regulations made by the Minister for this purpose, and
(b) a person who satisfies the Director that he or she has a legitimate interest in obtaining a copy.”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 161:
In page 53, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following:
“Reports by decision-making representative
40. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a decision-making representative shall, within 12 months after the making of the decision-making representation order appointing him or her, and thereafter at intervals of not more than 12 months, prepare and submit to the Director a report in writing as to the performance of his or her functions as such decision-making representative during the relevant period.
(2) The court may direct that a report be submitted to the Director within such shorter period or within such shorter intervals as is specified in subsection (1).
(3) Every such report submitted to the Director shall be in such form as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister and shall include details of all transactions relating to the relevant person’s finances which are within the scope of the decision-making representation order and details of all costs, expenses and remuneration claimed by or paid to the decision-making representative during the period to which the report relates.
(4) A decision-making representative who has restrained the relevant person at any time during the relevant period relates shall include in the report details of each such restraint and the date on which, and the place where, such restraint occurred.
(5) Where a decision-making representation order authorises a decision-making representative to make decisions in relation to a relevant person’s property and affairs, the decision-making representative shall within 3 months of his or her appointment as decision-making representative, submit to the Director a schedule of the relevant person’s assets and liabilities and a projected statement of the relevant person’s income and expenditure.
(6) Where a decision-making representation order authorises a decision-making representative to make decisions in relation to a relevant person’s property and affairs, the decision-making representative shall keep proper accounts and financial records in respect of the relevant person’s income and expenditure and shall—
(a) submit the accounts and records as part of a report to the Director under this section, and
(b) make available for inspection by the Director or by a special visitor, at any reasonable time, such accounts and records.
(7) Where a decision-making representative fails to submit a report in accordance with this section or submits an incomplete report or fails to comply with subsection (5), the Director shall notify the decision-making representative of that failure or incompleteness and give the decision-making representative such period of time as is specified in the notification to comply or submit a complete report.
(8) Where a decision-making representative fails to comply with a notification under subsection (6), the Director shall—
(a) in the case of the submission of an incomplete report and following any necessary enquiries to satisfy himself or herself that the report is substantially in accordance with this section and regulations made by the Minister, accept the report as if it were in compliance with this section and the relevant regulations, or
(b) make an application to the court for a determination as to whether the decision-making representative should continue as decision-making representative for the relevant person.
(9) Pursuant to an application to it under subsection (7)(b), the court may determine that a decision-making representative who has not complied with this section shall no longer act as decision-making representative for the relevant person concerned.
(10) In this section “relevant period” means the period of time to which the report relates which shall be the period of time between the date of the decision-making representation order or the date of submission of the previous report, as the case may be, and the date immediately preceding the date of submission of the report concerned.”.
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 162:
In page 53, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following:
“Complaints in relation to decision making representatives
41. (1) A person may make a complaint in writing to the Director concerning one or more of the following matters:
(a) that a decision-making representative has acted, is acting, or is proposing to act outside the scope of his or her functions as specified in the decision-making representation order;
(b) that a decision-making representative is not suitable, having regard to the matters referred to in section 35(4), to be a decision-making representative.
(2) Following the receipt of a complaint under subsection (1), the Director shall carry out an investigation of the matter which is the subject of that complaint and—
(a) where he or she is of the view that the complaint is well founded, make an application to the court for a determination in relation to a matter specified in the complaint, or
(b) where he or she is of the view that the complaint is not well founded, notify the person who made the complaint of that view and provide reasons for same.
(3) A person who receives a notification under subsection (2)(b) may, not later than 21 days after the date of issue of the notification, appeal a decision of the Director that the complaint is not well founded to the court.
(4) The Director may, notwithstanding that no complaint has been received, on his or her own initiative carry out an investigation and make an application to the court for a determination in relation to any matter specified in subsection (1).
(5) The court may—
(a) pursuant to an application to it under subsection (2)(a) or (4), or
(b) pursuant to an appeal under subsection (3), make a determination in relation to a matter specified in subsection (1) and may, if it considers it appropriate, determine that a decision-making representative shall no longer act as such in relation to the relevant person concerned.”.
Amendment agreed to.
Sections 39 to 44, inclusive, agreed to.
SECTION 45

Amendments Nos. 163 to 169, inclusive are related and will be discussed together.

Government amendment No. 163:
In page 56, line 10, to delete “An application for the review of the capacity of a ward” and substitute “An application for a declaration under section 46(1) in respect of a ward”.

Amendments Nos. 163 to 169, inclusive, relate to the process by which wards of court will be discharged from wardship. Amendments Nos. 163, 165 and 166 provide that the wardship court shall not review the capacity of a ward but rather make a declaration under section 46(1). The amendments are necessary because the existing provisions do not correctly describe what is envisaged. Where a person has been admitted to wardship without reference to his or her capacity such as in the case of many minor wards, he or she can be discharged from wardship without reference to his or her capacity. The wardship court will not look again at the ward's capacity, which is what the previous provisions implied. Instead, it will review the ward’s case and, where necessary, make a determination as to his or her capacity. No change of policy is envisaged by these provisions.

A new provision is proposed that will allow the wardship court to continue its jurisdiction, pending the discharge of a ward or the ward’s migration to the new options foreseen under the Bill. The amendments will allow payments, for instance, to continue to be made, pending the court hearing on a ward’s case. This is to ensure there will be continuity in the provisions in place for wards throughout the process of moving from wardship to discharge or the new options. The amendments do not change in any way the deadlines already set in the provisions. Wardship will be phased out for adults within three years of the commencement of Part 6. A minor ward will be entitled to a court hearing of his or her case no later than six months after his or her 18th birthday.

Amendment No. 169 proposes to replace section 47 with a new section. The provisions repealing the Marriage of Lunatics Act 1811 and the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871 have been moved to section 7. Some saving provisions are needed to ensure orders of the wardship court made before this Part is commenced will remain valid, even if the 1871 Act is repealed. This is to provide certainty in terms of payments to third parties and so forth.

It is proposed to delete section 49. The provisions of the Bill are essentially for adults. Adult wardship will be abolished over a three year period. It is important that boundaries not be blurred between the current arrangements and the arrangements foreseen under the Bill. To make this clear, the role of the director of the decision support service will relate exclusively to adults. He or she will not have a role in the case of minor wards. Any matter relating to minor wards will continue to be handled by the Office of the Wards of Court. The amendment makes clear the separation that will apply between the Office of the Wards of Court and the decision support service.

Amendment No. 164 reads:

In page 56, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following:

“(b) a relative of a friend of the appointer who has had such personal contact with the appointer over such period of time that a relationship of trust exists between them,”.

The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has stated in general comment No.1 that under Article 12 of the convention, perceived or actual deficits in mental capacity must not be used as justification for denying legal capacity. Since the Bill is being developed as part of Ireland's preparations to ratify the UN convention, the functional assessment of mental capacity must be replaced with a process of interpreting the will and preferences of the individual. This will ensure that when people need help to make decisions, they will be supported in doing so, rather than have their legal rights to make decisions removed.

On a broader note, Inclusion Ireland has concerns about the review of the position of wards. I highlight these concerns and invite a response from the Minister of State. Inclusion Ireland argues that Part 6 of the Bill applies to people who are wards of court. The sections therein allow for a review by the ward or somebody who appears to the wardship court to have sufficient interest or expertise in the welfare of the ward. Inclusion Ireland has received communications from a number of concerned families in this regard. Many family members are concerned about the reference to the "welfare" of the ward and the broadness of the category, as preference in persons acting as co-decision makers and decision-making representatives is given to a relative or friend of the appointer who has had such personal contact with the appointer over a period of time that there is a relationship of trust between them. Inclusion Ireland is stating it would be preferable if this category was introduced before the aforementioned phrase "sufficient interest or expertise". I ask the Minister of State to comment on this suggestion.

I agree with the Senator that it is important to highlight in the Bill the fact that applications can be made by relatives or persons who have a relationship of trust with the ward. I am looking at the feasibility of the Senator's proposal and seeking legal advice on the matter. Given that the Bill is driven by consultation to ensure we get it right and subject to the legal advice being what we expect it to be, I will be tabling an amendment on Report Stage broadly along the lines of that proposed by the Senator. I hope that will satisfy him.

In terms of wardship, it is important that we be very clear in the Bill.

Quite recently I had a visit from a very caring and very young family. They wanted to talk to me about an adult relative who was awaiting a court hearing about wardship. The adult in question was very worried about it and did not necessarily want it. The family wanted to support him in his decision. I am very anxious to get this legislation through because so many people are waiting on it. What I found quite interesting was that the judge in the case who was very enlightened because he knew that this legislation was coming advised them to look for an adjournment until the legislation was brought forward in order that they would not have to be subject to wardship. In the circumstances, this was the wisdom of Solomon. Sometimes we do not realise that when we are developing legislation, so many people will be affected by it in such a fundamental way. Sometimes we think that, apart from what we publicise, nobody else takes any notice of or interest in what we do in here. In this case, they rang the ward of courts office and when they asked the woman at the other end about this legislation, she told them that if they had said that to her last year, she would have told them that she had been listening to it for seven years but that the legislation was actually on the way. We sometimes forget this. The ward of courts issue is a serious one for people and it is not always necessary. There are other ways of managing our affairs other than by the court and that paternalistic approach. We are looking at the amendment and I would appreciate it if it was not pressed as I promise to come back on it.

I did not have a chance to say it, but I do recognise that there is a huge number of amendments. We were very critical of other pieces of legislation where amendments were being forward that had not been sought by an awful lot of people. It is important to acknowledge that a lot of the amendments have been sought by groups and I commend the fact that they are being taken on board. I am glad to hear the Minister of State say she is looking at this amendment. Therefore,I will withdraw it and reserve the right to bring it back on Report Stage if we do not see a suitable amendment that is to our liking.

I also welcome that fact. I know that Sarah and Fiona from Inclusion Ireland are here. I know that Sarah has been here from the beginning of the debate. As this is an issue she has raised with me, it is welcome that the Minister of State has said she is seeking legal advice.

SECTION 46

Section 48 agreed to.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendment agreed to.
Amendment No. 164 not moved.
Government amendment No. 165:
In page 56, line 17, to delete "review the capacity of a ward" and substitute "make a declaration under section 46(1) in respect of a ward".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 166:
In page 56, to delete lines 20 to 22 and substitute the following:
"(3) Where a ward reaches the age of 18 years after the period specified in subsection (2) (b), the wardship court shall, within 6 months of the ward reaching that age, make a declaration under section 46(1) in respect of the ward.".
Amendment agreed to.
Section 45, as amended, agreed to.
Government amendment No. 167:
In page 56, line 24, to delete "after reviewing the capacity of the ward" and substitute "on an application being made to it under section 45(1), or pursuant to section 45(2) or (3)".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 168:
In page 57, line 16, to delete ", following the review of the capacity of a ward,".
Amendment agreed to.
Section 46, as amended, agreed to.
NEW SECTION
Government amendment No. 169:
In page 57, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following:
"Saver
47. (1) The repeal of the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871 by section 7 shall not affect the validity of any order—
(a) made by the wardship court within its jurisdiction, and
(b) which was in force immediately before the commencement of this Part.
(2) Pending a declaration under section 46(1) the jurisdiction of the wardship court as set out in section 9 of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961 shall continue to apply.".
Amendment agreed to.
Section 47 deleted.
Section 49 deleted.
NEW SECTIONS
Government amendment No. 170:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Interpretation - Part 7
50. (1) In this Part—
"attorney" has the meaning given to it in section 51(1);
"disqualified", in relation to an attorney, means the attorney becomes a person
referred to in section 58 or a person that the court determines under this Part shall
no longer act as attorney for the donor concerned;
"donor" has the meaning given to it in section 51(1);
"donor under the Act of 1996" means a person who has created an enduring power under the Act of 1996;
"enduring power of attorney" has the meaning given to it in section 51(2);
"prescribed" means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under section 71,
"trust corporation" has the meaning it has in section 30 of the Succession Act 1965 but shall not include a designated centre or mental health facility in which the donor resides.
(2) In this Part "person", in relation to an attorney, includes a trust corporation but only to the extent that the authority conferred under the enduring power of attorney relates to property and affairs.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 171:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Enduring power of attorney - general
51. (1) Subject to the provisions of this section and sections 52, 54 and 55, a person who has attained the age of 18 years (in this Act referred to as “donor”) may appoint one or more suitable persons (in this Act referred to as "attorney") on whom he or she confers either or both of the following:
(a) general authority to act on the donor’s behalf in relation to all or a specified part of the donor's property and affairs; or
(b) authority to do specified things on the donor’s behalf in relation to the donor's personal welfare or property and affairs, or both;
which may, in either case, be conferred subject to conditions and restrictions.
(2) The authority referred to in subsection (1) shall be known as an enduring power of attorney and shall be conferred in writing in an instrument which is in compliance with this Part and regulations made under section 71.
(3) A donor may, in an enduring power of attorney, appoint a person who shall act as attorney for the donor in respect of the relevant decisions specified therein in the event that an attorney on whom authority is conferred dies or is unable to act or is disqualified from acting as attorney.
(4) An enduring power of attorney shall not enter into force until—
(a) the donor lacks capacity in relation to one or more of the relevant decisions which are the subject of the power, and
(b) the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney has been registered in accordance with section 61.
(5) Where an enduring power of attorney is expressed to confer general authority in respect of all or a specified part of the donor's property and affairs, it operates to confer, subject to any restrictions provided in the power or in this Part, authority to do on behalf of the donor anything which the donor can lawfully do by attorney.
(6) A person is suitable for appointment as an attorney if he or she is able of performing the functions of attorney as specified in the enduring power of attorney.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 172:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Content of instrument creating an enduring power of attorney
52. (1) An instrument creating an enduring power of attorney shall include the following statements:
(a) by the donor that he or she—
(i) understands the implications of creating the power,
(ii) intends the power to be effective at any subsequent time when he or she lacks capacity in relation to one or more relevant decisions which are the
subject of the power, and
(iii) is aware that he or she may vary or revoke the power prior to its registration;
(b) by a legal practitioner that, after interviewing the donor and making any necessary enquiries, he or she—
(i) is satisfied that the donor understands the implications of creating the power,
(ii) is satisfied that the donor is aware that he or she may vary or revoke the power prior to its registration, and
(iii) has no reason to believe that the instrument is being executed by the donor as a result of fraud, coercion or undue pressure;
(c) by a registered medical practitioner that in his or her opinion at the time the power was executed, the donor had the capacity to understand the implications of creating the power;
(d) by a healthcare professional of a class that shall be prescribed, that in his or her opinion at the time the power was executed, the donor had the capacity to
understand the implications of creating the power; and
(e) by the attorney, that he or she—
(i) understands the implications of undertaking to be an attorney for the donor and has read and understands the information contained in the instrument,
(ii) understands and undertakes to act in accordance with the functions of an attorney,
(iii) understands and undertakes to act in accordance with the guiding principles,
(iv) understands and undertakes to comply with the reporting obligations under section 67, and
(v) understands the requirements in relation to registration of the power.
(2) An instrument creating an enduring power of attorney shall include the following:
(a) the name, date of birth and contact details of the donor;
(b) subject to subsection (3), the signature of the donor and the date that he or she signed the power;
(c) the name, date of birth and contact details of the attorney;
(d) the signature of the attorney and the date that he or she signed the enduring power of attorney;
(e) the signatures of the 2 witnesses referred to in subsection (4)(a).
(3) An instrument creating an enduring power of attorney may be signed on behalf of the donor by a person who has attained the age of 18 years and who is not the attorney or a witness referred to in subsection (4)(a) if—
(a) the donor is unable to sign the instrument,
(b) the donor is present and directs that the instrument be signed on his or her behalf by that person, and
(c) the signature of the person is witnessed in accordance with subsection (4)(b).
(4) (a) The donor, or the person signing on his or her behalf in accordance with subsection (3), and the attorney shall sign the instrument creating the enduring
power of attorney in the presence of each other and in the presence of 2 witnesses—
(i) each of whom has attained the age of 18 years,
(ii) of whom at least one is not an immediate family member of the donor or the attorney, and
(iii) neither of whom is an employee of or agent of the attorney.
(b) Each of the witnesses referred to in paragraph (a) shall witness the signature of the donor (or the person signing on his or her behalf) and the signature of the attorney by applying his or her own signature to the enduring power of attorney.
(5) Where a donor proposes to remunerate an attorney for performing his or her functions as attorney, the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney shall specify the proposed remuneration and the functions to which it relates.
(6) In this section, "immediate family member" means—
(a) a spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant,
(b) a child, son-in-law or daughter-in-law,
(c) a parent, step-parent, mother-in-law or father-in-law,
(d) a brother, sister, step-brother, step-sister, brother-in-law or sister-in-law,
(e) a grandparent or grandchild,
(f) an aunt or uncle, or
(g) a nephew or niece.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 173:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Notice of execution of an enduring power of attorney
53. (1) The donor shall, as soon as practicable after the execution of the enduring power of attorney, give notice, in such form as shall be prescribed, of such execution to the following persons:
(a) a spouse or civil partner of the donor;
(b) the cohabitant (if any) of the donor;
(c) any children of the donor who have attained the age of 18 years;
(d) any decision-making assistant for the donor;
(e) any co-decision-maker for the donor;
(f) any decision-making representative for the donor;
(g) any designated healthcare representative for the donor;
(h) any other attorney for the donor or attorney under the Act of 1996 in respect of
the donor;
(i) any other person or persons as may be specified by the donor in the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney as a person or persons to whom notice shall be given under this section and section 60(3).
(2) Where there are fewer than 3 persons to whom notice may be given pursuant to subsection (1), the donor shall specify 2 persons in the instrument creating the
enduring power of attorney as persons to whom notice shall be given under this section and section 60(3)."
Government amendment No. 174:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Scope of authority - personal welfare decisions
54. (1) Where an enduring power of attorney confers authority in relation to personal welfare, the power does not authorise an attorney to do an act that is intended to restrain the donor unless there are exceptional emergency circumstances and—
(a) the donor lacks capacity in relation to the matter in question or the attorney reasonably believes that the donor lacks such capacity,
(b) the attorney reasonably believes that it is necessary to do the act in order to prevent an imminent risk of serious harm to the donor or to another person, and
(c) the act is a proportionate response to the likelihood of the harm referred to in paragraph (b) and to the seriousness of such harm.
(2) For the purposes of this section, an attorney for a donor restrains the donor if he or she—
(a) uses, or indicates an intention to use, force to secure the doing of an act which the donor resists,
(b) intentionally restricts the donor’s liberty of voluntary movement or behaviour, whether or not the donor resists,
(c) administers a medication, which is not necessary for a medically identified condition, with the intention of controlling or modifying the donor’s behaviour or
ensuring that he or she is compliant or not capable of resistance, or
(d) authorises another person to do any of the things referred to in paragraph (a) to (c).
(3) An attorney who restrains the donor pursuant to this section shall cease the restraint immediately upon the restraint no longer being necessary in order to prevent an imminent risk of serious harm to the donor or to another person.
(4) Subsections (1) to (3) shall not be construed to prejudice the generality of section 69 of the Mental Health Act 2001 or of rules made under that section.
(5) A donor shall not, in an enduring power of attorney, include a relevant decision—
(a) relating to refusal of life-sustaining treatment, or
(b) which is the subject of an advanced healthcare directive made by him or her.
(6) To the extent that an enduring power of attorney includes a relevant decision specified in subsection (5), it shall be null and void.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 175:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Scope of authority – property and affairs
55. (1) An attorney may act under an enduring power of attorney relating to property and affairs for the attorney’s benefit or that of other persons to the extent provided for in the power, where specific provision to that effect is made in the power and subject to any conditions or restrictions contained in the power.
(2) An attorney may not dispose of the property of the donor by way of gift unless specific provision to that effect is made in the enduring power of attorney.
(3) Where an enduring power of attorney authorises the disposal of the donor's property by way of gift, the attorney’s power to make such gifts shall, in addition to being subject to any conditions or restrictions in the enduring power, be limited to—
(a) gifts made on customary occasions to persons (including the attorney) who are related to or connected to the donor and in relation to whom the donor might be
expected to make gifts, and
(b) gifts to any charity to which the donor made or might be expected to make gifts, provided that the value of the gift is reasonable having regard to all the circumstances and in particular the extent of the donor's assets and any financial obligations.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 176:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Application to joint and joint and several attorneys
56. (1) A donor may, in an enduring power of attorney, appoint more than one attorney and may specify that the attorneys shall act—
(a) jointly,
(b) jointly and severally, or
(c) jointly in respect of some matters and jointly and severally in respect of other matters, and, in default of the power so specifying, the attorneys shall be deemed to have authority to act jointly.
(2) Where 2 or more persons have authority to act jointly as attorneys, then, in the case of the death, lack of capacity or disqualification of any one or more of them, the remaining attorney or attorneys may continue to act, whether solely or jointly, as the case may be, unless the enduring power expressly provides to the contrary.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 177:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Persons who are not eligible to be attorneys
57. (1) A person shall not be eligible for appointment as an attorney under an enduring power of attorney if he or she—
(a) has been convicted of an offence in relation to the person or property of the person who intends to appoint an attorney,
(b) has been the subject of a safety or barring order in relation to the person who intends to appoint an attorney,
(c) is an undischarged bankrupt or is currently in a debt settlement arrangement or personal insolvency arrangement or has been convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty,
(d) is a person in respect of whom a declaration under section 819 of the Act of 2014 has been made or is deemed to be subject to such a declaration by virtue of Chapter 5 of Part 14 of that Act,
(e) is a person who is subject or is deemed to be subject to a disqualification order, within the meaning of Chapter 4 of Part 14 of the Act of 2014, by virtue of that Chapter or any other provisions of that Act,
(f) is a person who is—
(i) the owner or the registered provider of a designated centre or mental health facility in which the intending donor resides, or
(ii) residing with, or an employee or agent of, such owner or registered provider, unless the person is a spouse, civil partner, cohabitant, parent, child or sibling of the intending donor, or
(g) has been convicted of an offence under sections 31, 72, 73 or 128.
(2) Subsection (1)(c), (d) and (e) shall not apply where it is proposed to confer authority only in relation to personal welfare matters."
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 178:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Disqualification of attorney
58. (1) An attorney shall, with effect from the date on which an event specified in any of paragraphs (a) to (c) occurs or, in the case of an event specified in paragraph (d), at the expiry of the period referred to in that paragraph, and unless the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney provides otherwise, be disqualified from being an attorney for the donor where the attorney is the spouse of the donor and subsequently—
(a) the marriage is annulled or dissolved either—
(i) under the law of the State, or
(ii) under the law of another state and is, by reason of that annulment or dissolution, not or no longer a subsisting valid marriage under the law of the
State,
(b) a decree of judicial separation is granted to either spouse by a court in the State or any decree is so granted by a court outside the State and is recognised in the State as having like effect,
(c) a written agreement to separate is entered into between the spouses, or
(d) subject to section 2(2), the spouses separate and cease to cohabit for a continuous period of 12 months.
(2) An attorney shall, with effect from the date on which an event specified in paragraph (a) or (b) occurs or, in the case of an event specified in paragraph (c), at the expiry of the period referred to in that paragraph, and unless the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney provides otherwise, be disqualified from being attorney for the donor where the attorney is the civil partner of the donor and subsequently—
(a) the civil partnership is annulled or dissolved (other than where the dissolution occurs by virtue of the parties to that civil partnership marrying each other)
either—
(i) under the law of the State, or
(ii) under the law of another state and is, by means of that annulment or dissolution not or no longer a subsisting valid civil partnership under the law
of the State,
(b) a written agreement to separate is entered into between the civil partners, or
(c) subject to section 2(2), the civil partners separate and cease to cohabit for a continuous period of 12 months.
(3) Subject to section 2(2), an attorney shall, at the expiry of the period referred to in this subsection, and unless the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney provides otherwise, be disqualified from being an attorney for the donor where the attorney is the cohabitant of the donor and subsequently the cohabitants separate and cease to cohabit for a continuous period of 12 months.
(4) Subject to subsection (5), where, subsequent to the appointment of an attorney—
(a) the attorney is convicted of an offence in relation to the person or property of the donor or the person or property of a child of the donor,
(b) a safety or barring order is made against the attorney in relation to the donor or a child of the donor,
(c) the attorney becomes an undischarged bankrupt or subject to a debt settlement arrangement or personal insolvency arrangement which is current or is convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty,
(d) the attorney becomes a person in respect of whom a declaration has been made under section 819 of the Act of 2014 or is deemed to be subject to such a
declaration by virtue of Chapter 5 of Part 14 of that Act,
(e) the attorney becomes a person who is subject or is deemed to be subject to a disqualification order within the meaning of Chapter 4 of Part 14 of the Act of
2014 by virtue of that Chapter or any other provisions of that Act,
(f) the attorney becomes—
(i) the owner or the registered provider of a designated centre or mental health facility in which the intending donor resides, or
(ii) a person residing with, or an employee or agent of, a person referred in to subparagraph (i), unless the person is a spouse, civil partner, cohabitant, parent, child or sibling of the intending donor,
(g) the attorney is convicted of an offence under section 31, 72, 73 or 128,
(h) the attorney—
(i) enters into a decision-making assistance agreement as a relevant person,
(ii) enters into a co-decision-making agreement as a relevant person,
(iii) has an enduring power of attorney or an enduring power under the Act of 1996 registered in respect of himself or herself, or
(iv) becomes the subject of a declaration under section 34(1), or
(i) the attorney is a trust corporation and the trust corporation is dissolved,
the attorney shall be disqualified from being an attorney for the donor with effect from the day on which the attorney falls within any of paragraphs (a) to (i).
(5) Subsections (4)(c), (d) and (e) shall not apply to an attorney insofar as authority is conferred on him or her under the enduring power of attorney in relation to personal welfare matters.
(6) Where an attorney becomes disqualified under this section, he or she, or in the case of disqualification pursuant to subsection (4)(h)(iii) or (iv), his or her attorney, decision making-representative or the court, as the case may be, shall notify the Director of such disqualification and the particulars relating thereto.
(7) Where an attorney becomes disqualified, a relevant decision made solely by him or her after his or her disqualification shall be null and void.
(8) Subsection (7) shall not operate to prevent a person who relied on a relevant decision referred to in that subsection from recovering damages in respect of any loss incurred by him or her as a result of that reliance.".
Government amendment No. 179:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Function of court prior to registration
59. On application to it by any interested party, the court may, where it has reason to believe that the donor of an enduring power of attorney lacks capacity in relation to one or more relevant decisions, exercise any power which would become exercisable under section 69(3) on its registration and may do so whether or not the attorney concerned has made an application to the Director for registration of the instrument.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 180:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Application for registration of instrument creating enduring power
60. (1) Where an attorney has reason to believe that the donor lacks capacity in relation to one or more relevant decisions which are the subject of the enduring power of attorney, the attorney shall, as soon as is practicable, make an application, in compliance with this Part and regulations made under section 71, to the Director to register the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney.
(2) An application to register an instrument under subsection (1) shall be made in such form and accompanied by such fee as shall be prescribed.
(3) The attorney shall, at the same time as he or she makes an application under subsection (1), give notice, in such form (if any) as shall be prescribed, of the
application and give a copy of the enduring power to the following persons:
(a) the donor;
(b) a spouse or civil partner of the donor;
(c) the cohabitant (if any) of the donor;
(d) any children of the donor who have attained the age of 18 years;
(e) any decision-making assistant for the donor;
(f) any co-decision-maker for the donor;
(g) any decision-making representative for the donor;
(h) any designated healthcare representative for the donor;
(i) any other attorney for the donor or attorney under the Act of 1996 in respect of
the donor;
(j) any other person specified by the donor under section 53.
(4) An attorney may, before making an application to register an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney, apply to the court for a determination on any question as to the validity of the power.
(5) Where an attorney has made an application to register an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney, then pending determination of the application, the
attorney, or if more than one attorney has been appointed to act jointly or jointly and severally, as the case may be, any one of them, may take action under the power—
(a) to maintain the donor or prevent loss to the donor's assets,
(b) to the extent permitted by the enduring power, to make a relevant decision which cannot reasonably be deferred until the application has been determined, or
(c) to maintain the attorney or other persons in so far as that is permitted under the power.
(6) Following the taking of the action pursuant to subsection (5), the attorney shall report to the Director—
(a) what action he or she took,
(b) the reasons as to why the action could not be deferred until after the registration of the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney,
(c) any measures he or she took to encourage the donor to participate in the action taken, and
(d) the outcome of the action.
(7) An application to register an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney shall be accompanied by—
(a) the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney,
(b) a statement by a registered medical practitioner and a statement by such other healthcare professional of a class as shall be prescribed that in their opinion the donor lacks capacity in relation to one or more relevant decisions which are the subject of the enduring power,
(c) details of any existing decision-making assistance agreement, co-decision-making agreement, decision-making order, decision-making representation order, power of attorney (whether an enduring power or otherwise and whether registered or not) or advance healthcare directive in respect of the appointer,
(d) a copy of any notice given pursuant to subsection (3),
(e) a copy of any notice given pursuant to section 53, and
(f) the prescribed fee.
(8) Where there is more than one attorney appointed under an enduring power of attorney, any two or more of the attorneys may make a joint application to register the instrument.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 181:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Registration of an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney
61. (1) On receipt of an application under section 60, the Director shall review the application and any objections received under section 63 and shall carry out such reasonable enquiries as he or she considers necessary in order to establish whether—
(a) the enduring power of attorney and the instrument creating it is in accordance with sections 51, 52, 54 and 55,
(b) the attorney is a suitable person within the meaning of section 51(6),
(c) the attorney is eligible for appointment within the meaning of section 57 or not disqualified by virtue of section 58,
(d) notice has been given in accordance with section 53 and section 60(3), and
(e) the application is in accordance with section 60.
(2) Where, after reviewing an application under section 60, the Director is satisfied that the application is in order, he or she shall, subject to section 63, register the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney.
(3) Where, after reviewing an application under section 60, the Director forms the view that one or more of the criteria in paragraphs (a) to (e) of subsection (1) are not satisfied, he or she shall notify the attorney and the donor of his or her view, provide reasons for that view and give the attorney and the donor an opportunity, within a reasonable timeframe specified by the Director, to respond.
(4) Following a review of any response received pursuant to subsection (3), the Director
shall—
(a) where he or she is of the view that the criteria set out in paragraphs (a) to (e) of subsection (1) are satisfied, register, subject to section 63, the instrument
creating the enduring power of attorney, or
(b) where he or she remains of the view that one or more of the criteria set out in paragraphs (a) to (e) of subsection (1) is not satisfied, refuse to register the
instrument creating the enduring power of attorney and notify the attorney and the donor of that fact and the reasons for his or her view.
(5) An attorney whose application under section 60 is refused may, not later than 21 days after the date of issue of the notification of refusal by the Director, appeal the refusal to the court.
(6) Upon an appeal under subsection (5), the court may—
(a) require the Director to register the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney,
(b) affirm the decision of the Director, or
(c) make such other order or declaration as it considers appropriate.
(7) Following registration of an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney, the Director shall send an authenticated copy of the instrument to the attorney and the donor.
(8) A document purporting to be a copy of instrument creating an enduring power of attorney which has been authenticated by the Director shall be evidence of the
contents of the instrument and the date upon which it was registered.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 182:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Effect and proof of registration
62. (1) The effect of the registration of an instrument is that—
(a) no revocation of the enduring power of attorney by the donor shall be valid unless the court confirms the revocation under section 65(6),
(b) no disclaimer of the enduring power shall be valid except on notice to the donor and with the consent of the court, and
(c) the donor may not extend or restrict the scope of the authority conferred by him or her in the enduring power and no consent or instruction given by the donor
after registration of the instrument shall, in the case of a consent, confer any right and in the case of an instruction, impose or confer any obligation or right on or
create any liability of the attorney or other persons having notice of the consent or instruction.
(2) Subsection (1) applies for so long as the instrument is registered whether or not the donor has for the time being capacity.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 183:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Objections to registration
63. (1) Any of the persons referred to in section 60(3), or any other person who appears to the Director to have sufficient interest or expertise in the welfare of the donor, may, no later than 5 weeks from the date on which notice is given in accordance with that provision, notify the Director that he or she objects to the proposed registration.
(2) An objection under subsection (1) shall be in such form and shall be accompanied by such fee as shall be prescribed by regulations made under section 71 and may be made on one or more of the following grounds:
(a) that the enduring power of attorney or instrument creating it is not in accordance with section 51, 52, 54 or 55;
(b) that the notice requirement of section 53 or section 60(3) was not complied with;
(c) that the donor does not lack capacity;
(d) that fraud, coercion or undue influence was used to induce the donor to execute the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney;
(e) that a false statement is included in the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney or the application to register the instrument;
(f) that the attorney is not a suitable person within the meaning of section 51(6).
(3) Where the Director receives an objection in accordance with subsection (2), made in the time period which has been specified in subsection (1), he or she shall—
(a) review the objection,
(b) consult with the attorney and, where the Director considers it is appropriate to do so, the donor, and
(c) consult with such other persons as he or she considers relevant,
and shall—
(i) where he or she is of the view that the objection is not well founded, notify the person who made the objection of his or her view, provide reasons for that view and proceed, subject to this section, to register the instrument concerned, or
(ii) where he or she is of the view that the objection is well founded, notify the person who made the objection of his or her view and make an application to the
court for a determination on the matter and for a determination as to whether the enduring power should be registered.
(4) The court, pursuant to an application made to it under subsection (3)(ii), may—
(a) require the Director to register the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney,
(b) declare that the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney should not be
registered, or
(c) make such other declaration or order as it considers appropriate.
(5) A person who makes an objection under subsection (1) may, not later than 21 days after the date of issue of the notification by the Director under subsection (3)(i),appeal a decision to register the instrument concerned to the court.
(6) Upon an appeal under subsection (5), the court may—
(a) require the Director to remove the instrument concerned from the Register,
(b) affirm the decision of the Director, or
(c) make such other declaration or order as it considers appropriate.".
Government amendment No. 184:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Register of enduring powers
64. (1) The Director shall establish and maintain a register (in this Part referred to as "the Register") of enduring powers of attorney.
(2) The Register shall be in such form as the Director considers appropriate.
(3) The Director shall make the Register available for inspection by—
(a) a body or class of persons prescribed by regulations made under section 71 for this purpose, and
(b) any person who satisfies the Director that he or she has a legitimate interest in inspecting the Register.
(4) The Director may issue an authenticated copy of an enduring power, or part thereof, on the Register on payment of the prescribed fee to—
(a) a body or class of person prescribed by regulations made under section 71 for this purpose, and
(b) a person who satisfies the Director that he or she has a legitimate interest in obtaining a copy.
(5) The Director shall keep a record of any body or person that has inspected the Register or received an authenticated copy from him or her.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 185:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Revocation and variation of enduring power
65. (1) An enduring power of attorney may be varied or revoked by the donor, where the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney has not been registered and where the donor has capacity to make the variation or revocation, as the case may be.
(2) A variation or revocation under subsection (1) shall be done in such form as shall be prescribed.
(3) Subject to section 52(3), a revocation or variation of an enduring power of attorney shall be signed by the donor and his or her signature shall be acknowledged by 2 witnesses and section 52(4) shall apply with the necessary modifications.
(4) A variation or revocation of an enduring power of attorney shall be accompanied by the following statements:
(a) by the donor, that he or she understands the implication of varying or revoking the enduring power, as the case may be;
(b) by a legal practitioner that, after interviewing the donor and making any necessary enquiries, he or she—
(i) is satisfied that the donor understands the implication of varying or revoking, as the case may be, the enduring power, and
(ii) has no reason to believe that the variation or revocation, as the case may be, is the result of fraud, coercion or undue pressure on the donor;
(c) by a registered medical practitioner that in his or her opinion, at the time of the variation or revocation, as the case may be, the donor had the capacity to
understand the implication of the variation or revocation;
(d) by such other healthcare professional as shall be prescribed that in his or her opinion, at the time of the variation or revocation, as the case may be, the donor
had the capacity to understand the implication of the variation or revocation; and
(e) by the attorney, that he or she is aware of the variation or revocation and undertakes to act accordingly.
(5) Subject to subsection (6) a donor may, after an enduring power of attorney has been registered, revoke the enduring power where he or she has capacity to do so.
(6) A revocation referred to in subsection (5) is not valid unless an application is made to the court and the court is satisfied that—
(a) the donor has done whatever is necessary in law to effect an express revocation of the enduring power of attorney and had capacity at the time of the purported revocation, and
(b) the donor has given notice to the attorney of the revocation.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 186:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Disclaimer by attorney
66. (1) An attorney may disclaim an enduring power of attorney which has not been registered subject to his or her giving notice of such disclaimer, to the donor.
(2) An enduring power of attorney which has been registered may be disclaimed by an attorney only with the consent of the court.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 187:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Reports by attorney
67. (1) An attorney under an enduring power of attorney which confers authority in relation to property and affairs shall, within 3 months of the registration of the instrument appointing him or her as attorney, submit to the Director a schedule of the donor's assets and liabilities and a projected statement of the donor’s income and expenditure.
(2) An attorney under an enduring power of attorney which confers authority in relation to property and affairs shall keep proper accounts and financial records in respect of the donor’s income and expenditure and shall—
(a) submit such accounts and records as part of a report to the Director under this section, and
(b) make available for inspection by the Director or by a special visitor, at any reasonable time, such accounts and records.
(3) An attorney shall, within 12 months after registration of the instrument appointing him or her as attorney, and thereafter at intervals of not more than 12 months, prepare and submit to the Director a report in writing as to the performance of his or her functions as such attorney during the relevant period.
(4) Every report submitted to the Director pursuant to this section shall be in such form as shall be prescribed by regulations made under section 71 and shall include details of all costs, expenses and remuneration paid to and claimed by the attorney in the relevant period together with such other matters as are prescribed.
(5) An attorney who has restrained the donor at any time during the relevant period shall include in the report details of each such restraint and the date on which, and the place where, such restraint occurred.
(6) Where an attorney fails to submit a report in accordance with this section or submits an incomplete report, the Director shall notify the attorney of that failure or
incompleteness and give him or her such period of time as is specified in the notification to comply or submit a complete report.
(7) Where an attorney fails to comply with a notification under subsection (6), the Director shall—
(a) in the case of the submission of an incomplete report and following any necessary enquiries to satisfy himself or herself that the report is substantially in accordance
with this section and regulations made under section 71, accept the report as if it were in compliance with this section and the relevant regulations, or
(b) make an application to the court for a determination as to whether the codecision-maker should continue as attorney for the donor.
(8) Pursuant to an application to it under subsection (7)(a), the court may determine that an attorney who has not complied with this section shall no longer act as attorney for the donor concerned.
(9) In this section "relevant period" means the period of time to which the report relates which shall be the period of time between the date of registration of the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney or the date of submission of the previous report, as the case may be, and the date immediately preceding the date of submission of the report concerned.
(10) This section shall apply to an attorney under the Act of 1996 where, by the date of commencement of this Part, an application to register the instrument which appointed him or her under that Act has not been made under that Act.
(11) Insofar as this section applies to an attorney under the Act of 1996—
(a) the reference to "functions" in this section shall be construed as a reference to that person's duties and obligations as construed in accordance with that Act, and
(b) the reference to "date of registration of the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney" shall be construed as a reference to the date on which the
enduring power under the Act of 1996 was registered in accordance with that Act.
(12) The reference to "attorney" in sections 78 and 79 shall, for the purposes of this section, be construed as including an attorney under the Act of 1996.
(13) The reference to "relevant person" in sections 78, 79 and 82 shall, for the purposes of this section, be construed as including a donor under the Act of 1996.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 188:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Complaints in relation to attorneys
68. (1) A person may make a complaint in writing to the Director concerning one or more of the following matters:
(a) that an attorney has acted, is acting, or is proposing to act outside the scope of his or her functions as specified in the instrument creating the enduring power of attorney;
(b) that an attorney is not a suitable person within the meaning of section 51(6);
(c) that fraud, coercion or undue pressure was used to induce a donor to appoint an attorney.
(2) A person may, in respect of an attorney under the Act of 1996, make a complaint in writing to the Director concerning one or more of the following matters:
(a) that an attorney under the Act of 1996, is acting or is proposing to act outside the scope of the enduring power under the Act of 1996;
(b) that an attorney under the Act of 1996 is unable, for whatever reason, to perform his or her duties and obligations as construed in accordance with that Act;
(c) that fraud, coercion or undue pressure was used to induce a donor under the Act of 1996 to appoint an attorney under the Act of 1996.
(3) Following the receipt of a complaint under subsection (1) or (2), the Director shall carry out an investigation of the matter which is the subject of that complaint and—
(a) where he or she is of the view that the complaint is well founded, make an application to the court for a determination in relation to a matter specified in the
complaint, or
(b) where he or she is of the view that the complaint is not well founded, notify the person who made the complaint of that view and provide reasons for that view.
(4) A person who receives a notification under subsection (3)(b) may, not later than 21 days after the date of issue of the notification, appeal a decision of the Director that the complaint is not well founded to the court.
(5) The Director may, notwithstanding that no complaint has been received, on his or her own initiative carry out an investigation and make an application to the court for a determination in relation to any matter specified in subsection (1) or (2).
(6) The court may—
(a) pursuant to an application to it under subsection (3)(a) or (5), or
(b) pursuant to an appeal under subsection (4),
make a determination in relation to a matter specified in subsection (1) or (2) and may, if it considers it appropriate, determine that—
(i) an attorney shall no longer act as such in relation to the donor concerned, or
(ii) an attorney under the Act of 1996 shall no longer act as such in relation to a donor under the Act of 1996.
(7) The reference to "attorney" in sections 78 and 79 shall, for the purposes of this section, be construed as including an attorney under the Act of 1996.
(8) The reference to "relevant person" in sections 78, 79 and 82 shall, for the purposes of this section, be construed as including a donor under the Act of 1996.".
Government amendment No. 189:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Applications to court
69. (1) Where the Director makes an application to the court for a determination on whether the instrument creating an enduring power of attorney should be registered, the court may, notwithstanding that—
(a) the power does not comply with section 51 or section 52, or
(b) the application to register an enduring power was not in accordance with section 60,
register the instrument where it is satisfied that—
(i) the donor intended the power to be effective during any period when the donor lacks capacity,
(ii) the power was not executed as a result of fraud or undue pressure,
(iii) the attorney is suitable within the meaning of section 51(6) to be the donor's attorney, and
(iv) it is desirable in the interests of justice to register the enduring power.
(2) In determining whether an attorney is suitable within the meaning of section 51(6), the court, in addition to any other matters which it considers relevant shall have regard to—
(a) the relationship and degree of connection between the donor and the attorney,
(b) the degree of involvement which will be required on the part of the attorney in the care of the donor,
(c) the willingness of the attorney to carry out his or her functions under the enduring power, and
(d) any conflict of interest which may arise.
(3) Where an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney has been registered, the court may, whether on application by the donor, the attorney, the Director or an interested party—
(a) determine any question as to the meaning or effect of the power,
(b) give directions with respect to—
(i) a relevant decision relating to the personal welfare of the donor made or about to be made by the attorney,
(ii) the management or disposal by the attorney of the property and affairs of the donor,
(iii) the remuneration or expenses of the attorney, whether or not in default of or in accordance with any provision of the enduring power, including directions
for the repayment of excessive, or the payment of additional, remuneration,
and
(c) consent to a disclaimer by the attorney of enduring power.
(4) Where the court gives a determination under subsection (3)(a), a direction under subsection (3)(b) or a consent under subsection (3)(c), it shall cause the Director to be notified of such direction or consent and the Director shall monitor the giving of effect by the attorney to such direction or consent as the case may be.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 190:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Removal of instrument from the Register
70. (1) The Director shall remove from the Register an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney where—
(a) there has been a revocation in accordance section 65(6), or
(b) subject to subsection (2), the attorney appointed under the instrument becomes disqualified.
(2) Where there is more than one attorney appointed under an enduring power of attorney or where the donor has specified a person who shall act as attorney for him or her in the event that the attorney on whom the authority is conferred dies or is unable to act or is disqualified, then in the circumstances described in subsection (1), the Director shall note on the Register in connection with the power concerned the revocation or disqualification, as the case may be.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 191:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Regulations
71. The Minister, having regard to the requirements of this Part, shall prescribe by regulations the following matters:
(a) the form of an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney;
(b) the form of notice under section 53 to register an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney;
(f) the form of an objection under section 63(2) to the registration of an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney;
(g) the form of variation or revocation under section 65(2) of an enduring power of attorney;
(h) the bodies or classes of persons under sections 64(3) and (4) who may inspect the Register and receive an authenticated copy of an enduring power of attorney;
(i) the fees to be paid in connection with—
(i) an application to register an enduring power of attorney,
(ii) an objection to an application to register an enduring power of attorney,
(iii) the issue of an authenticated copy of an enduring power of attorney.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 192:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Offences in relation to enduring powers of attorney
72. (1) A person who uses fraud, coercion or undue influence to force another person to make, vary or revoke an enduring power of attorney commits an offence and shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or both.
(2) A person who, in an instrument creating an enduring power of attorney, in an application for registration of an enduring power of attorney, or in connection with
such an application, makes a statement which he or she knows to be false in a material particular commits an offence and shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €15,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or both.
(3) The reference in subsection (1) to coercion or undue influence includes any case where a person's access to, or continued stay in, a designated centre or mental health facility, is contingent (whether in whole or in part) on the person having to, or being led to believe that he or she has to, create, vary or revoke an enduring power of attorney.".
Amendment agreed to.
Government amendment No. 193:
In page 58, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:
"Transitional provisions
73. (1) Subject to sections 67, 68(2), 68(3), 68(4), 68(5), 68(6) and 68(7), this Part shall not apply to—
(a) an enduring power of attorney under the Act of 1996,
(b) an attorney under the Act of 1996, and
(c) a donor under the Act of 1996.
(2) From the date of commencement of this Part—
(a) a person shall not create an enduring power of attorney under the Act of 1996,
and
(b) the Act of 1996 shall not apply to an enduring power of attorney created after that date.".
Amendment agreed to.
Sections 50 to 58, inclusive, deleted.
SECTION 59
Question proposed: "That section 59 be deleted."

This goes back to an issue we discussed earlier. It is about advance health care directives. The Minister said she would come back to this issue. I understand sections 59 and 60 relate to it. I do not know if the Minister of State wishes to discuss it now or later, but I want to raise it because it is proposed to delete the section that deals with it. I wish to raise those concerns that I expressed earlier about the provisions among health service users who believe their human rights will not be respected on the same basis as others. I understand there are up to 400 individuals who are lobbying on this issue and specifically affected by it. My understanding is that ten groups met the Department. I have raised this issue, which is the source of very serious concern.

I understand the Minister of State has said she might not agree with the issue, but as she has done with previous issues, I have noted that she has listened to almost all the amendments so far and is at least willing to take it on board. Without going over what I said earlier, there is the same issue. There are very serious concerns about advance health care directives to the effect that if somebody puts something in an advance health care directive about treatments they do not wish to have, it will be recognised in the competencies. I ask the Minister of State to take another look at this issue also.

The Senator and I have known each other for very long and I am not in the habit of saying I will do something when I will not. In this instance, we have listened very carefully. I have read material and the officials have engaged in extensive listening exercises. This is specifically about people with mental health difficulties. I still continue to assert that this is not the right legislation for it. We can have the debate as to whether we should have mental health legislation, although it is a little late in the evening for it because that is a different argument. Should it be combined with general health legislation? That is an issue for another day.

I am not saying people with a mental health difficulty should not have advance health care directives. Far from it, I have always believed they should have them, but that is very specific in respect of a particular condition and that condition is dealt with under different legislation. That is really the point I am making. I am not convinced by the arguments otherwise. It is not because I have not listened because I have. I have read everything that has come to us. The officials have met for an extensive period of time. All of the advice is that the issue should be dealt with under the Mental Health Act. We will deal with it under the revised Mental Health legislation. Advance health care directives will be included also.

I welcome the Minister of State's response, but there are people who believe the Mental Health Act is being used as an excuse to exclude advance health care directives from the Bill. They believe the deletion of sections 59 and 60 should allow for that issue to be addressed. An election is pending and legislation has been coming through the Houses at a fast pace, but at the same time there are concerns that the change might not happen and this issue will not be addressed until further down the road. That is the reason I am being asked to raise the matter with the Minister of State. If sections 59 and 60 are being deleted, why can we not include the measure into this Bill to copperfasten it? If it is the Minister of State's belief that it needs to be addressed, it should be included in the Bill. I will not labour the point, but I have been asked to raise it.

I understand that. I know that there is an election coming. There is no avoiding it, but I do not think it is a good enough reason for doing something that I do not believe should happen. We have the general scheme of the new mental health Bill. There was a comprehensive review and the legislation will be introduced. I accept that it will not be done in this Government's term, but it will be addressed because it is being worked on. These things do move along. A change of Government does not change these things and they progress. I do not believe the measure should be included in the Bill. It could be more comprehensively dealt with in the mental health Bill. I might be wrong, but that is my belief.

We might consider this issue again. I reserve the right to table Report Stage amendments to that effect.

Question put and agreed to.
Sections 60 to 64, inclusive, deleted.
SECTION 65

Amendments Nos. 194, 196 to 198, inclusive, 200, 204 to 210, inclusive, 212, 214 to 231, inclusive, 233 and 234 are related and may be discussed together.

Amendment No. 213 has already been discussed with the amendments in group 4.

In that case we will take amendment No. 213 out of the group. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Government amendment No. 194:
In page 73, line 22, to delete “sections 67 and 68” and substitute “section 67”.

God bless Senator Marie Moloney's eyesight.

I am following the debate.

Amendments Nos. 194, 196 to 198 inclusive, 200, 204 to 210 inclusive, 212, 214 to 231 inclusive, 233 and 234 are all related to the provisions on advance health care directives in Part 8. The proposed amendments do not involve any substantive change to the underlying policy of these provisions. Rather, they are all minor technical amendments to refine the language in the sections in question in order to clarify more precisely the intention of the relevant provisions on advance health care directives or to ensure greater consistency with similar provisions in other Parts of the Bill.

Amendment agreed to.
Section 65, as amended, agreed to.
Section 66 agreed to.
SECTION 67

Amendments Nos. 195, 201 to 203, inclusive and 211 are related and may be discussed together.

I ask that amendment No. 211 be removed from the grouping. The other amendments cover constitutional matters, while amendment No. 211 deals with an issue of conscience. The amendments are in no way connected or related.

We will discuss amendments Nos. 195 and 201 to 203, inclusive. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I move amendment No. 195:

In page 74, line 34, after “directive” to insert the following:

“other than a request for the provision or continuance of artificially delivered nutrition and hydration”.

I did not have an opportunity to welcome the Minister of State and I do so now. Perhaps the Cathaoirleach might assist me with a matter. Senator David Norris and I had intended to move Senator Feargal Quinn's amendment No. 23. We did not get to do that, but it does seem that the issues he raised are important in terms of the Irish Kidney Association or recognised donor registration bodies. Does my adverting to the issue at this point act in ease of his reintroducing the matter on Report Stage? I realise we did not move the amendment and I am anxious that it will not be impossible to move it on Report Stage for want of a discussion on Committee Stage. Do I understand the procedures of the House correctly? I am anxious that Senator Feargal Quinn not miss his opportunity to raise the issue on Report Stage.

To what amendment does the Senator refer?

Amendment No. 23. I had intended to move it on Senator Feargal Quinn's behalf, as had Senator David Norris.

The amendment was discussed.

I am aware of that.

It was not moved.

We have been here since 5 p.m.

I have been following the proceedings carefully.

As the amendment was not moved, it cannot be introduced on Report Stage.

It may be. My understanding is that if an issue arises from a discussion on Committee Stage, it can be raised on Report Stage. I hope what I have said will suffice as such a discussion because the issues Senator Feargal Quinn raised were very important and it is important that they be discussed. He raised the issues in the amendment and I raise them now.

Amendments Nos. 21 and 23 were not moved.

What I am asking you is, whether by virtue of adverting to it now, it will be possible for Senator Feargal Quinn to move the amendment on Report Stage because I am now bringing it into discussion on Committee Stage?

The section has been agreed to.

I know that the section has been agreed to, but I am bringing forward the issue at this point and asking whether Senator Feargal Quinn will be in a position to table the amendment on Report Stage.

Senator Rónán Mullen is too late in bringing up the amendment.

I am just asking the question whether, by virtue of raising it now and touching on the importance of the issue during Committee Stage, Senator Feargal Quinn will, therefore, be in a position to table the amendment on Report Stage.

The Senator cannot raise the amendments at this stage.

He is not raising the amendment. He is referring back to it.

The amendments cannot be raised at this stage-----

-----but they can be tabled again on Report Stage.

It was amendment No. 23 on page 3 of the amendment list. It was not moved. My query-----

The amendment was not discussed at any level and it was not even part of an adjacent discussion.

We have moved past that section when it could have been discussed.

I do not suggest we debate it, except to the extent I have now discussed it. What I am wondering is whether that will suffice for the purpose of Senator Feargal Quinn bringing it up again on Report Stage.

No, the Senator cannot discuss it now.

I would like to go back to a Bill that was discussed four weeks ago. May I do that?

We are dealing with a group of amendments.

I thank all of the experts on Standing Orders present.

Amendment No. 195 amends section 67 on page 74 of the Bill which currently provides that an advance health care directive is legally binding only when it relates to the directive maker's refusal of treatment. Section 67(3)(b) states a request for a specific treatment is not legally binding. This means that every decision against life, so to speak, no matter how unwise or unsound - to use the terms employed in section 66(2) - is granted greater legal protection than every decision in favour of life, even where the directive maker simply seeks to have food and water provided through artificial means. Advance health care directives are inapplicable in the administration of basic care but, according to section 68, artificially-delivered nutrition and hydration do not constitute basic care.

Many Irish people very reasonably hold that the provision of food and water, regardless of how they are delivered, is part of basic care. No doubt at least some of those people would want their advance health care directives to reflect that very reasonable conviction on their part. While the decision in the 1996 ward of court case probably precludes basic care from being defined in the Bill as incorporating artificially-delivered nutrition and hydration, that is not really the point because it does not prevent the Oireachtas from treating advance health care directives which request the provision of food and water as legally binding.

The Bill, as it stands, clearly favours life-ending wishes over life saving wishes. Denying citizens the right to make a health care directive requiring the provision of food and water, whether delivered artificially or naturally, undermines their right to life and freedom of conscience. This is not a constitutional claim as such - one might argue that it is a moral claim - but constitutionally there must be a question mark over the Bill on this point, however speculative it is to argue. It seems odd that people are not supported by the legislation in seeking to vindicate their right to life by the provision artificially of food and hydration. I would not claim to be definitive, but I argue that this is constitutionally questionable.

Some might argue that to provide an advance health care directive which mandates the provision artificially of food and hydration in a certain situation could put huge pressure on medical resources, but I do not think we want to go down the road of medical resource arguments.

Then why is the Senator doing that?

The amendment I propose is restricted to requests for artificially delivered nutrition and hydration. With regard to any possible objection that this would involve unnecessary burdens for the patient towards the end of his or her life, it would be entirely possible to add necessary qualifiers to the provision I propose. For example, it could be indicated that the guarantee to continue or provide artificially delivered nutrition and hydration would be inapplicable in the final stages of a terminal illness. The proposal is to have restricted application, but I would be grateful if the Minister of State would consider it.

I wish to speak to amendment No. 203 which proposes to delete section 68(7). Advance health care directives are a welcome addition to the Bill and will provide a way for people to articulate their will and preference for a later date in which their views may become unclear or unknown. This can be useful for treatment decisions in end of life cases, mental health crises and dealing with age related disabilities. A coalition of organisations in the fields of mental health, disability and older people have consistently called for advance health care directives to apply equally in the general health and mental health contexts. Too often mental health issues are seen as separate and different and the same rights and protections are not extended to mental health service users as they are to others. The addition of section 68(7) to the Bill has, therefore, come as a surprise to me since it effectively excludes the use of advance health care directives when a person is involuntarily detained and treated under the Mental Health Act 2001. The provision is unfortunate because it is precisely when people-----

On a point of order, the Senator is not speaking to the amendment.

I am speaking to amendment No. 203.

The Senator is speaking to the section.

No, I am speaking to amendment No. 203.

Senator Jillian van Turnhout is speaking to the amendment.

This would cause it to be two sections.

Senator Jillian van Turnhout is speaking to her amendment.

Perhaps if Senator Jim Walsh was to check, he would see that I am talking about section 68(7). I am speaking to amendment No. 203.

The provision is unfortunate because it is precisely when people are treated under the Mental Health Act 2001 that they will wish to have an advance health care directive to take effect. The use of differential standards for treatment decisions during involuntary detention perpetuates stigma and limits the use of advance health care directives in mental health care settings. Stigma and discrimination have been identified as the greatest barriers to recovery. Even if advance health care directives are legally binding during voluntary admission, the threat of coercion limits the impact of decisions.

A national study by Irish mental health service users has found an urgent need for legally binding advance health care directives during involuntary detention to promote respect for treatment preferences. Many clinicians assume that if advance health care directives are made binding in the mental health context, hundreds of people will make blanket refusals of all medical treatment, yet there is no evidence to support this. Advance health care directives can actually increase treatment engagement rather than increase refusals. In an Irish national survey the majority of mental health service users stated they would be more willing to adhere to treatment if they had an advance health care directive, suggesting the measure may lead to an increase in treatment engagement rather than refusals. The international evidence also suggests this. The fear that individuals would refuse all treatment, or be left untreated, often results in limitations on advance health care directives during involuntary detention. The research suggests mental health service users are more interested in using advance health care directives to express a preference for a particular treatment over others, rather than using the directive to refuse all treatments. To make a blanket denial of these preferences and concerns when a person is involuntarily detained, at precisely the moment such directives become important, is unjust. That is why I suggest amendment No. 203.

I will now turn to amendment No. 201. I am very surprised and concerned that an informed and considered decision to end life-sustaining treatment should be viewed as equivalent to a suicide attempt. To put these issues together is unbelievable and, having worked on the Joint Committee on Health and Children's Report on End of Life and Palliative Care in Ireland and having looked at the issue extensively, I find it objectionable.

I support amendment No. 203 proposed by Senators Jillian van Turnhout and Katherine Zappone. I have outlined my reasons previously which are similar in vein to those in respect of advance health care directives. There are concerns that the impending legislative provisions on advance health care directives discriminate against anybody who may experience mental ill health. Given that one in four Irish people experiences some form of mental health difficulty during their his or her, this issue could apply to any of us. It is considered by a number of experts that the proposed legislation blatantly excludes the use of legally binding advance health care directives in the treatment choices of those subject to involuntary detention under the Mental Health Act 2001. These experts believe it is clearly discriminatory under the EU Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which the Government is planning to ratify in the near future.

The use of differential standards reinforces stigma and the notion that the preferences of individuals with mental health conditions are not respected on an equal basis with others. There were 80,457 admissions to Irish psychiatric units and hospitals in 2013, of which 11% were involuntary. Similar legislation in the United States was litigated as discriminatory under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 in the case of Hargrave v. Vermont in 2003. After filing a legal challenge against differential treatment in the United States Court of Appeals Ms Nancy Hargrave asserted:

It seems fundamentally unfair that I choose or refuse chemotherapy which is saving my life, but I do not have the same right to choose or refuse psychiatric medication.

The findings of a national study published in The Journal of Ethics on medicine and public health suggest there is an urgent need for legally binding advance health care directives for those who have been involuntarily detained under the mental health legislation in order to provide a sense of control over future treatment, tenhance recovery and promote trust and respect. There is a compelling argument. The Minister of State has said she has looked at the issue in great detail. There seems to be quite a body of evidence internationally that supports the call. There are many people in Ireland also making that call and it warrants further debate and thought before Report Stage. I support the call to have it looked at again.

Senator Jillian van Turnhout's amendment has definite merit. I have worked with the mental health services for nearly 30 years.

It is anomalous to preclude a person suffering from major mental illness from the safety of a health care directive. Major, enduring and relapsing mental illnesses are often accompanied by loss of insight by the person suffering from the condition and it is at that very moment pre-planning by that person is a human rights issue. In all other areas of the mental health services we try to encourage a collaborative and team approach which includes the patient in decision-making. At a time when the patient is least able to collaborate in his or her own treatment we preclude him or her from the protection of the directive. I am very interested in hearing the Minister of State's response to Senator Jillian van Turnhout's worthy amendment.

I thank the Senators.

The Minister of State is in possession, but in keeping with the order of the day, we must report progress.

Progress reported; Committee to sit again.

When is it proposed to sit again?

At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

The Seanad adjourned at 10.05 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 10 December 2015.
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