David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I am suggesting that we should have proper debate here about serious issues like this. That is all I am saying, but we are not having a proper debate. That is the point I am making.

Too many people are dying and suffering needlessly. This national crisis is a scandal. The people in charge should wake up and provide proper rehabilitation services across the board because currently they are non-existent. I have met people who have come here from other countries and they are appalled at the situation. They cannot understand why it is so bad. Perhaps the Minister can send someone in here tomorrow to explain why it is so bad and at least acknowledge that there is a problem. Alternatively, they can tell us that there is no problem and everything is grand so we can all go home because we are wasting our time. The impression I got from listening to the Minister's speech was that there is no issue, but I disagree. There is a major issue.

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