Mental Health Act - How long does the HSE need?

The second part of the Mental Health Act (2001) is supposed to come into force at the start of November.

It is designed to deal with psychiatric patients who are being held involuntarily in mental institutions. At any one time there are at least 550 such people.

Although Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney made the announcement in July, the HSE sought legal advice within a week of her announcement, as it does not believe it will be ready to implement the act within that time frame.