30 Apr 2012, 12:45
The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality will launch its Report in relation to proposed Mental Capacity Legislation on Tuesday 1st May 2012 at 12 noon in the AV Room, Leinster House, Dublin 2.
As part of a new initiative, the Committee sought submissions on the proposed changes to mental capacity law in Ireland. More than 70 written submissions were received and this was followed by two public hearings where the Committee explored in more detail some of the issues raised in the submissions.
The Chairman of the Committee, David Stanton TD, said: “This has been a very long and difficult process given the complexity of the topic. However, it is essential that the whole area of capacity is reformed. Our present legal framework on capacity derives from legislation in the 19th Century, the Lunacy Act of 1871, and is totally inadequate to meet modern standards. It is also insufficient to meet our international commitments under the UN Treaty on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which was signed by Ireland in 2007.
“During the Committee hearings on legal capacity, I was particularly struck by the profound and negative impact the law as it currently stands can have on the daily lives of some of our most vulnerable citizens. I hope that this Report will make a meaningful contribution to the development of modern and effective capacity legislation.”
Event: Launch of the Report in relation to Mental Capacity Bill by the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality
Location: AV Room, Leinster House
Date: Tuesday, 1st May 2012
Time: 12 noon
You are invited to attend, or send a representative, to the launch of the report on hearings in relation to the Mental Capacity Bill by the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. To attend this event you must be accredited to attend briefings in Leinster House. To arrange for accreditation for the event or for further information please contact:
ENDS
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.