Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Senator Jerry Buttimer, who is away on official business at a meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE. I warmly welcome the Senators, witnesses and the visitors in the Gallery to this, the second day of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee's public hearings on children's mental health services in Ireland. This public consultation on children's mental health services in Ireland is providing us with a unique opportunity to consider and hear from all facets in the debate on the provision of mental health services for children and adolescents. As I said last week, through sharing their experiences the witnesses will set out the reality of those in need of mental health services and those providing these services. We will also hear from policy makers. Following our two public hearings, a draft report will be prepared for the committee by our rapporteur, Senator Joan Freeman. The committee will review the draft report and publish its final report as soon as possible thereafter.

Today's meeting will consist of two sessions. In this morning's session we will hear from representatives of professional bodies and clinicians as well as from a children's law specialist. In the afternoon session we will hear from representatives of State and other bodies.

On behalf of the committee I would like to welcome the following witnesses to this morning's session, Dr. Elisabetta Petitbon, forgive me-----