Mental Health Act 2008

What is this act about?

This law confirms the validity of certain renewal orders made under the Mental Health Act 2001, even if there were specific issues with how they were made or their wording. It also allows for these orders to be replaced by new ones under this Act.

Who it applies to: Patients who were subject to renewal orders under the Mental Health Act 2001; Consultant psychiatrists responsible for the care and treatment of these patients.

At a glance

Country: Ireland
Area of law: Health and pharmaceutical law
Articles: 8
Source: irishstatutebook.ie
Text retrieved: 2026-06-17
Explanation updated: 2026-07-07

What does this act regulate?

The validity of "unexpired renewal orders" and "expired renewal orders" made under the Mental Health Act 2001.
The process for replacing unexpired renewal orders with new orders.
The legal effect of actions taken based on these renewal orders.
How this Act relates to the Mental Health Act 2001.

Who does this act apply to?

Patients who were subject to renewal orders under the Mental Health Act 2001.
Consultant psychiatrists responsible for the care and treatment of these patients.

What are the key points?

Unexpired renewal orders are considered valid even if the psychiatrist didn't consider a shorter extension period or if the order didn't specify an expiry date.
Unexpired renewal orders remain in force until 5 working days after this Act passed, or until a replacement order is made, or until their maximum period expires, whichever comes first.
Consultant psychiatrists must examine patients subject to unexpired renewal orders within 5 working days of this Act passing and, if satisfied the mental disorder continues, certify this and make a replacement order for the remaining unexpired period.
Expired renewal orders are also deemed valid, despite similar issues with their making or wording, and are considered to have remained in force until their maximum period expired or they were revoked.

Health and pharmaceutical law

Mental Treatment Act, 1953

Children's Health Act 2018

Local Authorities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1936

Mental Health Act 20266

Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022

Agricultural Produce (Meat) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1954

Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010

Health Act 2004

Health and pharmaceutical law

Legal text

Contents (8)

Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8

Mental Health Act 2008 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 2008 Mental Health Act 2008 Mental Health Act 2008 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Open PDFOscail PDF Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 19 of 2008 MENTAL HEALTH ACT 2008 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Section

Section 1

1.Interpretation.

Section 2

2.Expenses.

Section 3

3.Confirmation of unexpired renewal orders.

Section 4

4.Replacement renewal orders.

Section 5

5.Confirmation of expired renewal orders.

Section 6

6.Acts done or purporting to have been done pursuant tounexpired and expired renewal orders.

Section 7

7.Exclusions.

Section 8

8.Short title, collective citation and construction.

Acts Referred To Mental Health Act 2001 2001, No. 25 Number 19 of 2008 MENTAL HEALTH ACT 2008 AN ACT TO CONFIRM CERTAIN UNEXPIRED AND EXPIRED RENEWAL ORDERS MADE UNDER SECTION 15(2) OR (3) OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ACT 2001; TO PERMIT SUCH UNEXPIRED RENEWAL ORDERS TO BE REPLACED BY ORDERS MADE UNDER THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH NEW ORDERS SHALL TAKE EFFECT AS IF THEY WERE RENEWAL ORDERS MADE UNDER SECTION 15(2) OR (3) OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ACT 2001; AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS. [30th October, 2008] BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:

Interpretation.

1.— (1) In this Act— “Act of 2001” means the Mental Health Act 2001 ; “expired renewal order” means an order purporting to be a renewal order— (a) where the maximum period concerned specified in section 15(2) or (3) of the Act of 2001 by which it extended or further extended the period referred to in section 15(1) of that Act has, before the passing of this Act, expired, or (b) which has, before the passing of this Act, been revoked under the Act of 2001; “replacement renewal order” means an order made under section 4

(1)(b); “unexpired renewal order” means an order purporting to be a renewal order where the maximum period concerned specified in section 15(2) or (3) of the Act of 2001 by which it extended or further extended the period referred to in section 15(1) of that Act has not, before the passing of this Act, expired; “working day” means a day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday.

(2)Section 2(1) of the Act of 2001 shall apply to the interpretation of this Act as it applies to the interpretation of that Act.

Expenses.

2.— The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.

Confirmation of unexpired renewal orders.

3.— (1) An unexpired renewal order shall be deemed to be valid and always to have been valid notwithstanding either of the following matters: (a) that the consultant psychiatrist failed to consider when making the order that he or she had the discretion to extend or further extend the period referred to in section 15(1) of the Act of 2001 for a lesser period than the maximum period concerned specified in section 15(2) or (3) of that Act of 2001; or (b) that the order did not specify a period during which the order was to remain in force or a date on which the order was to expire.

(2)Subject to section 28 of the Act of 2001, an unexpired renewal order shall remain in force until— (a) the expiration of 5 working days immediately following the passing of this Act, (b) a replacement renewal order is made to replace the unexpired renewal order, or (c) the expiration of the last day of the maximum period concerned specified in section 15(2) or (3) of the Act of 2001 by which it extended or further extended the period referred to in section 15(1) of that Act, whichever occurs first.

(3)Where a patient is the subject of an unexpired renewal order, the matters authorised under section 15(1) of the Act of 2001 by virtue of the admission order concerned shall continue to be authorised in respect of the patient for so long as the unexpired renewal order remains in force or, if the unexpired renewal order is replaced by a replacement renewal order, for so long as that replacement renewal order remains in force.

(4)Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing an unexpired renewal order from being invalid by reason of matters other than the matters referred to in subsection (1).

Replacement renewal orders.

4.— (1) Subject to subsection (2), where a patient is the subject of an unexpired renewal order, the consultant psychiatrist responsible for the care and treatment of the patient, having carried out an examination of the patient after the passing of this Act but before the expiration of the 5 working days immediately following the passing of this Act shall, where he or she is satisfied by virtue of that examination that the patient continues to suffer from a mental disorder— (a) certify in a form specified by the Commission that the patient continues to suffer from a mental disorder, and (b) make an order replacing the unexpired renewal order in respect of the patient for a specified period not exceeding the period remaining unexpired, as at the date of the making of the order under this paragraph, of the maximum period concerned specified in section 15(2) or (3) of the Act of 2001 by which the unexpired renewal order extended or further extended the period referred to in section 15(1) of that Act.

(2)Subject to subsections (3) to (5), a replacement renewal order shall be in substitution for, and not in addition to, the unexpired renewal order which it replaces and shall, for the purposes of the Act of 2001 and subject to the provisions of that Act, take effect as if it were— (a) a renewal order under section 15(2) of that Act in any case where that unexpired renewal order purports to be a renewal order made under that subsection, or (b) a renewal order under section 15(3) of that Act in any case where that unexpired renewal order purports to be a renewal order made under that subsection.

(3)Where an unexpired renewal order has been replaced by a replacement renewal order but, before that replacement, a tribunal has not reviewed, or has not completed its review, under section 18 of the Act of 2001 of the detention of the patient concerned arising from the making of that unexpired renewal order, then a step taken— (a) under sections 16 to 18 of the Act of 2001 by a person, (b) on or after the day on which the unexpired renewal order was made but before that replacement, and (c) arising from the making of the unexpired renewal order, shall be deemed to be a step already taken— (i) under sections 16 to 18 of the Act of 2001 by the person concerned referred to in paragraph (a), and (ii) arising from the making of the replacement renewal order.

(4)Nothing in subsection (3) shall prejudice the taking of steps that are required to be taken under sections 16 to 18 of the Act of 2001 arising from the making of a replacement renewal order where those steps have not been deemed to have been taken by virtue of that subsection.

(5)Where an unexpired renewal order has been replaced by a replacement renewal order and, before that replacement, a tribunal has completed its review under section 18 of the Act of 2001 of the detention of the patient concerned arising from the making of the unexpired renewal order, then, notwithstanding the completion of such review, sections 16 to 19 of the Act of 2001 shall apply to the making of the replacement renewal order in the same manner as they apply to the making of a renewal order.

Confirmation of expired renewal orders.

5.— (1) An expired renewal order shall be deemed always to have been valid notwithstanding either of the following matters: (a) that the consultant psychiatrist failed to consider when making the order that he or she had the discretion to extend or further extend the period referred to in section 15(1) of the Act of 2001 for a lesser period than the maximum period concerned specified in section 15(2) or (3) of that Act; or (b) that the order did not specify a period during which the order was to remain in force or a date on which the order was to expire.

(2)An expired renewal order shall be deemed to have remained in force until— (a) the expiration of the maximum period concerned specified in section 15(2) or (3) of the Act of 2001 by which it extended or further extended the period referred to in section 15(1) of that Act, or (b) its revocation under section 28 of the Act of 2001, whichever occurred first.

(3)Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing an expired renewal order from having been invalid by reason of matters other than the matters referred to in subsection (1).

Acts done or purporting to have been done pursuant to unexpired and expired renewal orders.

6.— (1) Every act done or purporting to have been done pursuant to an unexpired renewal order or an expired renewal order shall be deemed to be valid and effective and always to have been valid and effective notwithstanding either of the following matters: (a) that the consultant psychiatrist failed to consider when making the order that he or she had the discretion to extend or further extend the period referred to in section 15(1) of the Act of 2001 for a lesser period than the maximum period concerned specified in section 15(2) or (3) of that Act; or (b) that the order did not specify a period during which the order was to remain in force or a date on which the order was to expire.

(2)Subsection (1) shall not be construed as preventing an act referred to in that subsection from being invalid or ineffective by reason of matters other than the matters referred to in that subsection.

Exclusions.

7.— (1) Nothing in this Act shall prejudice any right or entitlement of a patient under or relating to section 28 of the Act of 2001.

(2)Nothing in this Act shall affect any proceedings commenced in any court concerning the validity of a renewal order or an order purporting to be a renewal order where those proceedings were commenced before the passing of this Act or any proceedings under section 19 of the Act of 2001.

Short title, collective citation and construction.

8.— (1) This Act may be cited as the Mental Health Act 2008.

(2)The Mental Health Act 2001 and this Act may be cited together as the Mental Health Acts 2001 and 2008.

(3)The Mental Health Act 2001 and this Act shall be construed together as one.

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