A campaign to force the Government into updating mental health laws was launched yesterday by an umbrella group of disability organisations called Let's Get Our Act Together.
The group, which includes the Mental Health Association of Ireland and the Disability Federation of Ireland, points out that no legislation has been published since the White Paper on mental health was issued in 1995. The group has called for an "adequate debate" which will address "the rights and needs of people with mental illness". A Department of Health spokesman said it is expected that a request for Government approval to publish the Mental Health Bill will be made early in the next Dail session.