asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, to improve the present system of incarceration and general procedures for detaining mental patients and if he has satisfied himself that the present situation of committal by third parties is satisfactory.
Written Answers. - Detention of Mental Patients.
390.
I stated in reply to a question by Deputy O'Connell on 17 October 1979—Official Report, Volume 316, column 58—that I intend to introduce a Mental Treatment Bill in the current session of the Dáil. This proposed legislation will amend and up-date the present legislation in regard to the mentally ill. In that connection I shall be reviewing the existing procedures for the committal to and detention of patients in mental hospitals. It would not be appropriate for me to refer now to my proposals in that regard.