Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend Deputies Ward and Gould for this Bill. It provides for something that has been missing for far too long. We need only ask the voluntary organisations that try to fill the gaps left by the State. They will describe the level of demand they have for the services they provide in the area of combined addiction and mental health and how the State does not provide for it adequately. In my time in this House we have spoken about dual diagnosis on a number of occasions. We have outlined shortcomings in service provision on the State's part. I have outlined to the House how the former voluntary organisation Carmha Ireland in Nenagh was concerned about its future because it was prepared to go the extra mile while the State dithered and clinical lead positions remained vacant and action stalled.

As the Minister of State knows only too well, the nature of mental health issues and drug addiction is complex. However, there is no-one for whom it is more complex than the person dealing with these issues and those trying to get help for him or her. As in other areas of the health services, including mental health, dietary and so on, people can get moved from pillar to post because their needs do not fall into step with whatever services are available. This causes people who find themselves in these kinds of situations to fall through the cracks and go without the treatment they so badly need. Mental Health Reform, in its research on barriers to dual recovery for individuals with a dual diagnosis, spoke of the lack of interagency collaboration when it comes to helping people with dual diagnosis. Deputies Ward and Gould are seeking to address this through the no wrong door Bill. We need to see a joint care plan between the addiction and mental health services developed so no matter what door people knock on for help with addiction and mental health problems they will be treated appropriately and with dignity.

Like my colleagues, I understand the Government is accepting the contents of the Bill as is and I acknowledge and welcome that. However, I ask that the Government does not play politics with it by accepting it and then kicking it down the road. As was said earlier, we welcome the citizens' assembly and look forward to its recommendations and to working with it and the Ministers of State to implement its findings. Will they assure us they will not put this Bill on the long finger and will enact it for the benefit of the many people out there who need it and what it provides for?

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