Annie Hoey (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Doody. It is bonkers that we do not have a workforce plan. It is so obvious when listing issues like expanding bubbles of employment and retirement. It seems ineffective and inefficient that we are not getting to grips with a sustainable and steady workforce plan. I will not go into it too much, though.

Ms Clyne spoke about what was going to be my next question. At this and other committees, she has spoken about bringing in international doctors, the ethics of a brain drain out of countries, in particular developing ones, and our unacceptable treatment of them by not providing training pathways. I will not go into that matter again.

If the points that the witnesses have made are included in the final draft of this Bill, will we be on track to having gold standard, world standard or just good legislation that will protect, support and provide care and compassion for the people who will be affected by it? Are we going in the right direction in terms of how we need to treat our patients with mental health issues? I mean that in terms of this Bill specifically as opposed to the overall situation.