Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for letting me know when the report is to be available but it is not clear what will be the nature of that report. It seems to be the first stage in a further long process. The seminal document on mental health goes back to 1984 so there are no congratulations here. When we are talking about stigma and what is available, the difficulty is that all of this was recognised back in 1984 and re-recognised in 2006. There was nothing wrong with A Vision for Change. It is a brilliant document. It sets out everything. It sets out the figures in respect of suicide, which were at crisis point in 2006 and are significantly worse now, particularly in Galway city and county. We do not need any more statements in the Dáil. Members have been making statements about mental health but want an implementation of the document and want the independent body to be set up. If the Tánaiste is confirming this, then it is progress and I welcome it. We need absolute clarity on the review process and we need an implementation body similar to the previous body - and independent of the Government - to monitor the implementation of the existing A Vision for Change and any new changes.

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