Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)

I want to reiterate my thanks to the Minister of State for taking this tonight. I really do appreciate it and I ask that she pass on my thanks to the Minister of State for such a considered reply. I do not doubt for a second the sincerity with which the Ministers of State are approaching this at all. I hope she can hear that I am not here to critique Government policy on this issue whatever but rather to take the opportunity to highlight it specifically when it comes to men and young men in Ireland.

I completely accept the point with regard to emergency care and it often being an unsuitable place. I just want to make the point that it is if-and-when they present because it is often the case that men do not present for help. I hope the new reduction policy that will come before us really acknowledges meaningfully the stigma and the taboo that survives in Irish society when it comes to us speaking openly about our mental health and showing the opposite of toughness and about being willing and ready to embrace the idea of being supported and vulnerable.

In the 30 seconds I have left, while we have already acknowledged the fantastic work of the HSE, I want to acknowledge the many services in our society that might not intend to do such good. I think of the likes of the men’s sheds network, youth services and youth clubs which provide recreation and a safe space to talk and listen in a very informal way but which do unquantifiable good for our society when it comes to men’s mental health specifically.

I thank the Minister of State again for her time and for the opportunity to raise this again tonight.

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