Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

What has bedevilled mental health services is that language does not mean anything. I have asked for confirmation of when the independent monitoring body will be established. The Mental Health Commission has a completely different function. Indeed, when it produced its annual report it was absolutely damning regarding the absence of specific treatment plans, care plans, unsuitable buildings and so forth. My opinion and the Taoiseach's opinion do not matter anymore. We have had A Vision for Change, Sharing the Vision - a Mental Health Policy for Everyone and Planning for the Future. The common denominator in all of that is the move out of the institutions. We are beyond that. The common denominator is that we must have an independent monitoring body. That body sat for two three-year periods and it did such a good job that the Government abolished it. At this point, the Government must re-establish the independent monitoring body, and let statements in the Dáil be about whether that body is doing its job or not and what resources it needs to do it.

There are delayed discharges in Galway city. There last time I checked there were four, which means four people were in psychiatric units who should not have been there. Any Deputy here can add to this. I am asking for an independent monitoring body. On what date will it be set up with a broad range of therapists' representatives on it?

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