Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In any other situation, I would accept the view that one would not be making a special case, but I make no apology at all for being that particular in regard to mental health. It requires every support and assistance to catch up after decades of abject neglect. I do not attribute that only to those in government over the years as I think it is a reflection of society that there was not an appreciation of how fundamental and important to each and every one of us was the requirement for best practice in regard to mental health services. I again hold very strongly to the view that there is a special and necessary case to be made in regard to the director of mental health.

There was a vote earlier on the housing legislation. I was 16 years in the House last week and I can remember when I first came in. It was wildly difficult to follow how this House worked when I was the only member of my party and the first to be here. The proposition on the last piece of legislation turned around the proposal from what the mover of the amendment sought, which was that the word would remain. It was very confusing to follow and one was actually voting "Níl" when one thought one should have been voting "Tá".

This is where the language becomes incredible. With respect to what the Minister of State has just said, she tried to tell us that the Bill does not seek to limit those who will be appointed to these roles to those who are already in the service of the HSE at either national directorate level or in another comparable grade within the HSE. Yet, that is exactly what it says. The Bill, under section 7, at section 16A(3), states, "A person may not be appointed as an appointed director unless he or she is a person who is an employee of the Executive holding the grade of national director or other grade in the Executive which is not less senior than the grade of national director." It is clear a person cannot be appointed unless he or she is an employee. I expect this was a requirement before the event of his or her consideration and appointment-----

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