A Fianna Fáil bill to strengthen the rights of mental health patients has been passed by the Dáil.
The bill provides for greater consultation with patients being treated in the mental health services.
It also gives patients more rights in relation to the services they avail of.
Fianna Fáil health spokesman James Browne welcomed the passage of the bill, saying the contributions during the debate had been passionate.
The bill will now be sent to the Seanad.
Mr Browne said he hoped than any amendments made in the Seanad would not prevent the bill from being enacted.
