Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I beg the Chairman's pardon, but it is important that I reflect on the mental health reform recommendations. The Chairman will be pleased to know that the cross-party group on mental health launched our pre-budget submission, the second that we have had, in the past week. We fell down last year, but we made one the year before. We are back in business and have been able to strike a concord across all of the political views in these Houses. We have reflected on the €35 million allocation. It must be spent in its entirety, for its purpose and within the current year. It is a continuum and is provided in respect of needs in 2014 and ongoing.

I have only one question arising from this point.

I note the opening commentary reflects that the inspector of mental health services is pointing again to the need for a national programme of reform, driven by the director designate of mental health services. We have addressed the matter before and I have no specific issue with the individual, whom I know and have met in his previous work life within the HSE. In his presence I nevertheless raised concerns regarding the appointment and the process. What is the position of Mental Health Reform Ireland and is there any indication that what the inspector of mental health services has argued for is under way?