In 1987 when I was Minister of State in the Department of Health, as it was known, a proposal was made for an acute psychiatric unit in the county hospital in Roscommon for more than 30 patients. There was little welcome for this. I was brought before a conclave of 40 priests who were deeply concerned that this policy was being implemented. I did not have the guidance of my officials but I went before this conclave and had to acquit myself. One statement I remember making was that that no one could say they would not be affected by mental illness at some stage. It is no worse than any other illness. It just happens to affect the brain. I persuaded the priests that they would not stop us in this regard. It was a major challenge to go before people of that calibre and ability.