Dr Mary Henry (Ind) said she did not think there was any sense of urgency on the part of the Government about reform in the mental health area.
She was supporting a call that her bill be adopted to require the operation of the provisions of the Mental Health Act from April 7th next.
Arguing her case, Dr Henry said that last week a woman who had abducted a baby from a hospital in Cork had been sentenced to five years in jail, and it had been suggested by the judge that she should serve her prison term in the Central Mental Hospital.
"This is one of the reasons I am trying to push the Mental Health Bill forward because the Minister had promised us that since that bill was enacted, he would bring forward legislation to deal with the mentally ill before the courts and in custody. But nothing had happened for several months," Dr Henry said.
"So, judges are reduced to suggesting that ill patients should serve prison sentences in the Central Mental Hospital. I do not think there is any sense of urgency with this Government about any Mental Health legislation, and that is why I have asked for this bill to come forward."
The inclusion of the taking of the Bill for the business of the House was defeated on a vote with the Government side having a majority.