Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am trying to tease out the figures provided on the recruitment of staff in the mental health service. As with every other Member of the House, the Taoiseach will have personal experience of people who have taken their lives. Without exaggerating the position, suicide has reached almost tsunami proportions.

I took note of some of the figures cited by the Taoiseach, including that provision was made for 477 posts and 55 candidates accepted positions. This means only 55 of 477 positions have been filled, while a further 177 posts are being processed. Even if these posts are all successfully processed, we will have a grand total of 202 of the 477 new positions - less than half - filled. I am being contacted by people who cannot get an appointment to see the appropriate expert for dealing with the issues they are experiencing. Sometimes we can be befuddled by figures but halfway through the year, not even half of the 477 positions have been filled. Will the Taoiseach provide an explanation? Has the Cabinet committee on health addressed this issue?

To return to my earlier question, the Taoiseach is correct that the Minister for Finance made a statement in the House about the Anglo Irish Bank tapes. However, his initial response was that he had no knowledge of the existence of the tapes. He now states he was aware of them. In response to a parliamentary question, the Department of Finance also indicated it was aware of the tapes but did not state when it became aware of them. The Minister has not told the House when he became aware of them. He also indicated the Central Bank was not aware of the tapes, whereas Mr. Alan Dukes has indicated the Central Bank should have been aware of them. I am not making accusations but simply asking whether the questions raised in this regard provide sufficient grounds for the Minister to make a statement in the House.

Eliciting information on this matter is like drawing teeth. Deputy Doherty and others have tabled approximately 100 parliamentary questions and freedom of information requests on these matters. The Taoiseach promised a democratic revolution and new way of working but, without wishing to blame the Minister, the answers we are receiving are evasive. One asks a straight question but it seems the old adage that if one does not ask the right question, one will not get the right answer applies. I invite the Minister to make a statement clearing up the matter before the recess.

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