Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I just want to say to everybody here tonight a hugely warm thank you for their superb contributions. It is a privilege to be part of this House when I hear the quality, the passion and the authenticity of every contribution tonight. It makes me proud to be an Irishman because, as the Minister pointed out, here, in the hall and buildings where legislation is discussed in Bills and passed into law, I heard authenticity - the hearts and the minds of the legislators empathising with the great pain and suffering that can be hidden for so long and bottled up in the hearts and minds of people who are hurting. One in four - that is a really stark figure. Out of this Chamber alone, that is 45 people. That is an awful lot.

I do not want to dwell on this in a sombre or sad way. I would like to say thank you. Tonight's contributions were powerful, and no matter how low the money is in the kitty, the issue of mental health services is definitely a priority. This resonates with what our new President, Michael D. Higgins, said on the day of his inauguration, last Friday, which was a tremendous day of gracious generosity by the two figureheads of our country - the Taoiseach, with his gracious introduction, and our new President, who graciously accepted his responsibilities in service. Let me say what a wonderful contribution everybody has made. I thank them for it and I hope the people of the country hear it because it would do them good.

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