College Press Statements 2024

Three Irish healthcare representative bodies will today (12 July) sign a memorandum of understanding renouncing the practice of conversion therapy on the island of Ireland, stating that the practice is unethical, potentially harmful and is not supported by evidence.

The recommendation of a report by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying to introduce both assisted suicide and euthanasia for people with terminal illnesses and between six and 12 months to live will have significant ramifications for palliative and end of life care in Ireland, and for the most vulnerable in our society.

The President of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has said that the Government’s perennial inability to sufficiently fund psychiatric doctors in training has been and will continue to be “detrimental” for patients and has had a major knock-on effect on all mental health services in Ireland.

The College is appalled and distressed at the accelerating, unfathomable conflict and violence in the Middle East, the increasing loss of human lives and the intensification of horrific effect on innocent civilians.

President, Dr Lorcan Martin and Manager of Communications, External Affairs & Policy, Andrea Ryder, met with Minister of State for Mental Health, Mary Butler, in Leinster House.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland welcomes the election of specialist consultant forensic psychiatrist, and college member, Professor Gautam Gulati, as Ireland’s member at the Council of Europe (CoE) Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT).