21 Feb 2012, 14:51
Representatives from Inclusion Ireland; Members of the Psychological Society of Ireland; The Alzheimers Society of Ireland; National Institute for Intellectual Disability; and Mental Health Commission will present submissions to the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality on the Draft Heads of proposed Mental Capacity Legislation.
Chairman of the Committee, Deputy David Stanton said: “As part of a new initiative, the Committee sought submissions on the proposed changes to mental capacity law in Ireland. We received over 70 written submissions and almost 30 groups expressed an interest in appearing before the Committee. We are anxious to be fully briefed on all viewpoints and perspectives on this important issue and tomorrow, in our first meeting on this topic, we will meet with a number of organisations to discuss their submissions on this legislation.
The purpose of legislation which the Committee will examine, is to reform the laws pertaining to those who due to illness, accident or intellectual disability, may have limited or reduced capacity to understand and articulate their needs and wishes in a legal context.
The rights of incapacitated persons and those made wards of courts need to be protected and the Committee is keen to hear the differing views on how this can be best achieved. Therefore, we are looking forward to engaging with these groups tomorrow to discuss their suggestions and proposals.
Regrettably, although Ireland has signed up to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, we have not yet been in a position to ratify it because we first need to update our laws on mental capacity. We hope that the contribution made by this Committee will help to create a progressive law which ultimately enables Ireland to ratify this crucial convention.
This meeting will take place on Wednesday, 22nd February in Committee Room 2, Leinster House 2000 at 2.30pm.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee Membership
Deputies:
Dara Calleary, Michael Creed, Alan Farrell, Anne Ferris [Vice-Chairman],Tom Hayes, Seán Kenny, Finian McGrath, Jonathan O’Brien and David Stanton (Chairman)
Senators:
Ivana Bacik, Paul Bradford, Martin Conway, Rónán Mullen, Denis O’Donovan.