The General Scheme of the Mental Capacity Bill was published in September 2008. The scheme implements recommendations made by the Law Reform Commission in its 2006Report on Vulnerable Adults and the Law. The Commission’s Report followed extensive research and consultation since 2002 with representative organisations, service providers, medical experts and frontline carers. On publication of the General Scheme, written submissions from interested parties were invited. A conference was held in Dublin Castle in February 2009, co-hosted by my Department and the National Disability Authority. Attendees at the conference came from a broad range of groups and organisations including those representing brain injured persons, the elderly and the intellectually disabled. Submissions received and views expressed at the conference have been examined for consideration during drafting of the detailed provisions of the Bill, which is now underway.