Maurice Hayes (Independent)

It would also be useful to hold a debate on mental health services. I support the proposal by Senator O'Meara and Senator Ormonde that any such debate should focus on the critical and crucial issue of youth services. Otherwise, it would be all be over the place. I have one comment to make to comfort the Minister of State. I believe he was reflecting the fact that waiting lists are about the most fallible issue from which to draw conclusions. Waiting times, which are intolerable, are important. It is important to make interventions to assist young people in crisis. Lord knows how much damage such interventions would avoid. Sadly, the position in the North does not appear to be much better.