Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentation. Deputy Kelly dealt with many issues and I will not rehearse what he said. The submission refers to the appointment of a national independent body to determine mental health catchment areas. This makes a great deal of sense because there are areas in the country with high rates of mental health issues and, unfortunately, suicide. Would such a body be neutral - that is, it would not come under the remit of HSE - and would it report on matters in a very frank manner? Would it work with coroners to get proper details on this issue? In the context of the many recommendations in the report, what arises time and again is the need to ring-fence funding. Funding is a major issue.