Private Members Bill being introduced in Seanad Éireann

This evening in Seanad Éireann, Green Party Senators Déirdre de Búrca and Dan Boyle are introducing a Private Member’s Bill “Mental Health (Involuntary Procedures) (Amendment) Bill 2008 aimed at ceasing the practice of forced electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) and ending the practice of psycho-surgery, more popularly known as ‘lobotomy’.“The issue of informed consent is critical where the use of controversial psychiatric procedures such as ECT are concerned” says Senator De Búrca. “Our Private Members Bill today aims to prohibit the involuntary use of ECT and ends the practice of psycho-surgery”.

Green Party Senator, Dan Boyle says “Seanad Éireann is an appropriate forum to initiate debates of this nature and to reform aspects of legislation in ways that Dáil Éireann cannot. This Bill gives the Seanad the opportunity of acting independently in addition to allowing the Green Party Senators to show our ability to act on our own initative in progressing important policy decisions”.

For further information please contact:

Senator Déirdre de Búrca on (086) 806 14 50
Senator Dan Boyle            on (087) 277 27 01

Filed under:
Health and Children, Press Release by Deirdre