The 202-section Mental Health Bill 2024, which will replace the Mental Health Act 2001, was extensively amended as it made its way through the Dáil and is now at committee stage in the Seanad.

Over 300 proposed amendments agreed by government ministers last week will be moved in the Seanad from tomorrow.

In addition to a prohibition on electro-convulsive therapy for children, the amendments include additional safeguards related to capacity assessments and the strengthening of treatment criteria.

Two new sections are also being introduced to the bill to give new powers to the Mental Health Commission to regulate and monitor pharmacological restraint where a person is a risk to their own safety or the safety of others.

Another amendment being proposed in the Seanad will further align the bill with the Assisted Decision-Making and Capacity Act 2015.

This amendment will make it easier for mental health professionals to apply to court for the appointment of a decision-making representative for people who are involuntarily detained and who lack capacity to make certain decisions about their own treatment.

Mental health minister Mary Butler said: “The enactment of this bill has been a longstanding priority for me and for the government and I am pleased to now bring over 300 amendments to the Mental Health Bill at Seanad committee stage.

“I want to ensure that the bill is as robust as possible, and I believe these amendments will make the bill stronger. I look forward to working with colleagues in the Seanad and Dáil to progress towards enactment as soon as possible.

“These amendments are informed by further consultation with stakeholders and other government departments. The substantive amendments both seek to address operational issues and to ensure an appropriate balance between respecting the autonomy of individuals while providing for timely access to healthcare.”

She concluded: “It’s vital we enact this legislation to modernise our mental health legislation and to put in place the necessary safeguards to ensure the rights of people with mental health difficulties are vindicated in the decades to come.

“I look forward to working with senators across the chamber to examine these amendments in the Seanad in the coming weeks and to work towards the enactment of the bill as soon as possible.”