Mental capacity law plans do not fulfil Ireland’s obligations, say rights groups

HUMAN rights experts have expressed serious concerns that proposed mental capacity legislation does not fulfil Ireland’s obligations under international law.

The purpose of legislation is to reform the laws for those who, due to illness, accident or intellectual disability, may have limited or reduced capacity to understand and articulate their needs and wishes in a legal context.

Amnesty International Ireland maintains that, in line with human rights law, we must move from a model of “best interests” to one that focuses on the potential of people.