Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

I welcome all the witnesses here this morning. I also welcome the recognition of CAMHS in the Bill. I wish to raise a number of important points, which led originally to the Maskey report on the South Kerry CAMHS scandal. I want to recap on the care received by 240 children in south Kerry. Dr. Seán Maskey found unreliable diagnoses, inappropriate prescriptions, poor monitoring of treatment and potential adverse effects, which exposed many children unnecessarily to the risk of significant harm. The report also detailed the significant harm that was caused to 46 children and young people in south Kerry. I know a number of the children and who were misdiagnosed, mistreated and mis-medicated. Some are young adults today. I also know their families. I attended a couple of meetings. I was invited by the South Kerry CAMHS Family Support Group on two different occasions to meetings in Leinster House.

We met the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Butler, and saw her officials at the time. The lives of these children and young adults were destroyed and many are still suffering with major mental health issues. Some of them are like zombies today, and I am not exaggerating when I make that point.

With regard to the Kerry CAMHS compensation scheme, is there any information on where that is at and how many cases have been dealt with to date? The north Kerry look-back review is long overdue. When will it be published? At the time, I believe, only 300 cases were examined, leaving many without answers. That is not good enough. I understand the Halpin report has been completed. When will it be published? Last year, it was decided that an independent regulator would be appointed to oversee community mental health services, including for children. Has this happened?

While I do not want to delay the meeting further, to conclude, can the committee write to the Taoiseach and request a public apology for all the children and young adults and their families? I know the Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Harris, as Taoiseach, was previously asked for a public apology. It is the very least these individuals and families deserve and may just be of some comfort.