Ms Caroline McGuigan:

I thank Senator Dolan. It is very important to me that he recognised what it takes for someone to come in and talk from a personal point of view. It is not for the faint-hearted and there are not many people who will do it. I understand why. His comment meant a huge amount to me.

When one has lived through some of the issues we are discussing today, it is a different ball game. Deputy Durkan talked about transition and coming out of institutions. To add to what Dr. McDaid said, we know that connection, meaning and purpose are safety factors in life. If we go back to basics - which I find works well for me in life because otherwise I get a little lost but can find my way again - about exclusion, work and education, all Departments have to be involved. It is not rocket science. Common sense tends to leave the building from time to time, and I mean all buildings, not just this one. That is what worked for me and got me back on track. It took me a long time to get back into the workplace. That in itself is a whole journey.

I was very struck by what Ms O'Shea said about listening to the voices of different people and about money and recovery. It was so heartfelt. We need to drive our own recovery. We need to remember that, as human beings, we are capable of that and we will choose the supports that we need around us.

Dr. McDaid mentioned advance directives in discussion with the Chairman. I feel very passionately about these. I work every day. I am very blessed and privileged to work with people who are going through tough times. There are families, fathers, mothers or brothers or sisters. I ask people what they feel when they are well. They know themselves best and therefore I ask them what their triggers in life are and what action plans they can put in place. Imagine if every one of us, including doctors, nurses, mothers and fathers all had that type of plan. It would take the burden of taking responsibility for other people off many of us. I do not want anyone to take responsibility for me. I will do that and tap into support as needed.

I agree with Deputy Durkan that the closure of the dreadful psychiatric services was horrific as it gave nobody a pathway to connect back into society. If a person has meaning and purpose in life he or she has a far better chance of having good mental health, relationships, a job and being able to manage his or her bills. To tell people simply to leave institutions in which for many years they had been told what to do does not work. We have the answers. I mean this in the most respectful way: it is not that complicated. We need to listen to people who are going through it.