Joan Freeman (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sorry, but I have something else to say. We spoke earlier about how Seán Lemass was progressive. I really believe the Taoiseach is progressive too. He needs to ask hard questions and take a hard look at broken and cancerous systems. The lack of urgency being shown by the HSE in looking at mental health services for children is very worrying. Such services are not on the cliff - they have actually fallen over it. The HSE's lack of urgency has resulted in the chronic and sometimes fatal neglect of children. I ask the Taoiseach to consider forming a task force to identify the needs of each of the child and adolescent mental health services and to implement the solutions that are required. If things keep going as they are at the moment, nothing will get resolved. If the Taoiseach does not do something serious now, HSE mental health services for children will lurch from election to election without being changed.