Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The tone of the Sinn Féin motion and the way in which the party has tried to direct this debate are regrettable. What we have been presented with is in stark contrast to the party's actions and activities with regard to the treatment, over many years, of those who have been victims of different activities. It should reflect on how it treats people before it starts pointing a finger as to how others do so.

We have had a cross-party mental health committee in both the Seanad and the Dáil for a long time because there is no one in these Chambers who is not committed to the improvement of mental health services offered to citizens. If we are to believe the statistic that 25% of the people will suffer with some form of mental health difficulty during their lifetime, then there is a possibility that 25% of Members will suffer with mental health difficulties.

Thousands of people in, for example, Dublin, Meath and Wexford have mental health difficulties. It is not something a political party can prove its bona fides on by wearing a badge in a particular month or by introducing motions. It is about the difficulties in our daily lives in our interactions with our families, friends, communities or children. It is how we live. We live helping people on a daily basis. Perhaps the Members opposite should be mindful of that and stop their stunts.

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