Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on, and support, the Bill. I congratulate Deputy Eoghan Murphy on his work. Everyone alluded to the advantage of transparency in respect of taxes. It is very important but I also wish to deal with the educational side of the matter so that the public becomes aware of how pressure comes on for the allocation of taxation to different areas.

Thankfully, Ireland has an active civil society. Many organisations, representing many interests in the country, lobby Members. It is important to know how the system responds to civil society with regard to the demands of various sectors of society. As we approach the budget, we are ever more exposed to an understanding of how active civil society is in lobbying. I have seen countries where civil society is suppressed. The advantage Ireland has is vital.

I will cite one example of how spending changed. In the 1960s, some 20% of the total health budget was spent on mental health service; last year, it was 5%. Over the period since the 1960s, there was an erosion without anyone being aware of it and with no discussion. The system of mental hospitals in the 1960s was totally unacceptable but people were moved into the community without transferring the resources to support them. Greater awareness at the time might have engendered discussion on where money is spent. It is important to educate society on how decisions are influenced and made. Decisions can be made in the best interests of all of society but they influenced by civil society. We need to educate people on who the strong people are and those who need more support because they are not as active.

One group that is not active in promoting its needs are those who suffer from mental illness and those who are suicidal. This week, I met a person who told me that two friends of his, a doctor and a pharmacist, had taken their lives. Also this week, someone told me a priest had taken his life. These issues go across society. Deputy Eoghan Murphy's Bill will facilitate greater transparency, understanding and an informative approach to society's response to how our taxes are spent.

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