Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I read the article in The Irish Timesat the weekend in which it was mentioned that the changes in the Bill could be catastrophic. I found that very disappointing. It seems to be case that minds were made up before the representatives even came to this meeting today. "Catastrophic" is a big word. That word was not used in respect of the CAMHS in Kerry, where it probably should have been. We saw it used in an article at the weekend where it seems that minds have been made up.

The changes proposed in the general scheme, as has been mentioned, are about patient-centred rights and not staffing issues. However, staffing issues are mentioned in it. One of the final things mentioned in the opening statement was that the changes could "exacerbate the current recruitment and retention crisis" we are going through. For example, if I could wave a magic wand and solve all the issues in recruitment and retention, and reduce the workload on psychiatrists, maybe through more funding and resources or whatever it might be, would Dr. Martin's opinion and view of this proposed legislation be different? If the proper resources were in place, what would those resources look like? Can the Government do more to support psychiatrists to support this proposed Bill?