Joan Freeman (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Today is important. I am sure many of the witnesses, most of whom I have met at some stage during my previous life, would agree. I will give a very brief summary of what we are trying to do. We are trying to paint a picture of truth, a picture of what our mental health services for children are really and truly like. That truth is so important, because if we do not tell the truth we cannot fix what is wrong. Last week we had a very harrowing day. We heard witnesses including parents who gave testimony about their children and what they have experienced so far. Some of the stories were very reflective of what is really going on in this country, but not once did the witnesses point the finger at any particular person or at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, CAMHS, or at any of the agencies. They were pointing the finger, as am I, at a system. It is a system that is broken. This in nobody's fault, but I need the witnesses to tell the truth today so that we can see the true reality of what is happening to this country.

Our mental health services are dying. There is no two ways about it. I need witnesses not only to tell the truth, but also to come up with the most amazing ways of fixing that service, which I know they will. The next thing we have to do is to listen to that. Last week Dr. Geoffrey Shannon talked about outrage. Our country is very good at outrage, but after outrage comes action and that is where we are now. We are on the point of action starting today.