Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Minister, Deputy Harris, has heard from my colleague, Deputy Browne. The Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, and the Taoiseach will have heard from Deputy Browne and my party leader, Deputy Martin, one of the key priorities for our party is the whole issue of mental health and implementing A Vision for Change and the money required to pay for the resources needed, which is the key part of it and what was missing in this case. The money was not there and the resource was not available to give the help when it was required. I have no doubt that my colleagues will continue to press this issue with the Minister and with the Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, as a key priority for us and the country. We are all very good at talking, at getting photographs taken and at promoting all sorts of fantastic initiatives but the role of politicians and of Government is to provide the resources needed to help people when they present in crisis, as happened in this case.

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