Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On a serious level, the quality and availability of psychotherapy and counselling is not something we can leave to chance. We must avoid the five-eighth merchant setting up an operation which could do more harm than good. This concern has been expressed by many people at meetings of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children and on the floor of the House. We must consider the qualifications and training available to counsellors and psychotherapists because if we do not regulate them, we will have serious trouble. We also have a duty of care and we owe it to highly qualified and reputable counsellors and psychotherapists to put in place a regulatory system which recognises and supports them and gives them a safety network.

The Minister of State knows the issue of mental health quite well. The country has made significant strides through the National Office for Suicide Prevention. I do not mean to patronise her, but the Minister of State has been a very strong advocate with regard to mental health issues. We must take another step forward on this issue.

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