Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Yesterday, I raised the issue of the remarks made by the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, who has responsibility for mental health. The Taoiseach replied that the Minister of State does his job to the best of his ability. One must consider that 3,000 children are waiting for assessments, never mind treatment. This waiting list was dismissed as something with which to beat up the Department or a creation of power-hungry psychiatrists. Does the Taoiseach believe professional psychiatrists deliberately lengthen their waiting lists to put themselves in a position to use their power and influence, as the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, stated?

I recall that in February of this year, the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, told the Dáil the constant reiteration and repetition of problems in the mental health services was becoming a bit tiresome. This Minister of State has responsibility for mental health and he regards it as a bit tiresome. He regards a waiting list of 3,000 as being deliberately created by psychiatrists who want to use their power and influence.

Plans to build seven specialised units date back to when the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, was a Minister of State. The agency to which the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, works, namely, the HSE, is clearly hanging him out to dry. He states we will have four units by the end of next year. The HSE states it will be 2008 or 2009. In his earlier report to the Seanad, he stated these four units will be operational by the end of 2006. It is another example of not being able to translate the words of Government into practice.

Yesterday, the Taoiseach stated with regard to these extremely vulnerable people that the Minister of State is doing the job to the best of his ability. I happened to see some of the programme last night where one psychiatrist stated that the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, should go to a group meeting where they can only deal with people who either inflict self-harm or are clearly suicidal.

The Government has taken in €8 billion more than was projected during the past number of years. Surely, without any thought, the area of mental health, where the budget percentage declined from 11% to 7%, should be a priority. The person in charge, a Progressive Democrats Minister of State, backs up the Tánaiste and leader of that party who stated inequality is good for Irish society.

The Taoiseach is standing over the competency and statements of a Minister of State who stated it is all a bit tiresome. Does the Taoiseach believe it is a bit tiresome? Does he believe psychiatrists deliberately lengthen waiting lists to use their power and influence? What will he do about the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley's half-hearted statement of regret? It was not an apology. It was regret he was caught out.

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