James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for allowing a wide-ranging debate this morning and the Ceann Comhairle for permitting the debate to continue. That latitude is very important in an issue as important as mental health. I congratulate the Ceann Comhairle on organising the important mental health symposium to be held towards the end of September, which shows the importance the issue of mental health is to both him and the Dáil.

The contributions have been passionate and well informed. As Deputy Buckley said, no one - regardless of background, age or where a person is from - escapes the impact of mental health issues. Absolutely everyone is affected. I thank Deputies McDonald, Kelly and Paul Murphy for their contributions, as well as everyone else who contributed to the debate on this important Bill. There is a lot of negativity about Deputies and the Dáil. However, this was a straightforward amendment that was expected to take probably no more than 15 minutes this morning but we have had almost three hours of contributions on it on the last day of the session. This shows the real determination that people have in the area of mental health.

There are two things the Minister of State could take from today's debate which could be done quite quickly and which are quite practical. The first would be to reinstate the implementation body that was abandoned by the previous Government. That would be a hugely important step. The second would be to publish what is effectively a scoping review on A Vision for Change. That could be published. I understand it is ready to go.

The Bill has been carefully thought out. I appreciate that amendments may be tabled in the Seanad but it is important that any amendments do not threaten the Bill. It is quite a targeted and well-thought-out Bill and I hope that it moves through the Seanad quickly.

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