The 144-year-old lunacy act has been repealed by the government.

New legislation signed into law by the President today gives every citizen the right to a say in how they are cared for.

The Assisted Decision Making Bill was signed into law by President Michael D Higgins earlier, as was the heavily amended Legal Services Bill.

The bill introduces an independent regulator for all legal practitioners, an independent complaints regime and a single disciplinary tribunal for solicitors and barristers.

However the bill was heavily criticised, with over 300 amendments being made to it before it passed through the Oireachtas.