Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas le Sinn Féin for bringing forward this motion tonight. I sympathise with Deputy Michael Collins, his partner, Val, his own children, Eileen, Marie and young Michael, and his sister, the mother of that young man. I know how the Deputy was so fond of him. I was present when he had many phone calls with him over the past number of months. I know how hard Deputy Collins tried to assist. Many of us do not get that opportunity but Deputy Collins did. I thank every side in this House who was so sympathetic last week in the Chamber. The Deputy would not have been aware of it because he was tied up in his grief at the funeral, but sympathy and empathy came from all sides of the House. That is what is important.

It is so sad when young people reach out. Deputy O'Donoghue mentioned that men are not great, and we are not. Women are better. Mothers reach out and beg for and implore that their young children be seen. We had the horrible experience in Kerry north and Kerry south. Our CAMHS situation in south Tipperary is just non-existent. I do not have the number but countless young adults have been incarcerated in psychiatric institutions because they cannot get treatment from CAMHS. I am not blaming the Minister of State either but someone needs to take hold of this. Plenty of money has been pumped in but they are just not getting the services. The poor mothers, fathers, siblings and families see people self-harm. We have had many suicide attempts and suicides as well. It is shocking in a system that is supposed to be so caring. We lost St. Luke's and then St. Michael's in Clonmel. We do not have them. The system is failing these young people and the máthair, athair and the clann go leir are begging and imploring that something be done. We are raising it here day in, day out.

I am sure there is a Government countermotion to this. We need to deal with it, not just talk about it. These people need help and our support.

See this speech in context