Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I attended a function this morning announcing eating disorder awareness week. It drew attention to the fact that eating disorders can be fatal if left unattended. Later on, I discovered a friend's sister, a woman of about 60 years of age, had died from anorexia nervosa yesterday. I had not realised the seriousness of this disease. I was not aware of our almost lack of attention to it. The country has three public hospital beds for people who suffer eating disorders. It is a serious situation that has been left unattended. We must draw the Minister's attention to this serious area. It jolted me that the sister of someone I knew very well had died overnight in hospital but not in one of those beds allocated for eating disorders.

I seldom criticise the Taoiseach in the House. Yesterday, however, I was jolted by the words he used to describe opponents of the EU treaty. I understand we will have a debate on the EU reform treaty soon. As with Senators Bradford, Ormonde and others, I have spoken on it at the Joint Committee on European Affairs. I have asked for both sides of the debate to be moderate in the terms and expressions used. If we are going to have a logical debate on the issue, we must be careful.

Yesterday the Taoiseach used words such as "loo-las of every kind and shape" who advocate "loonie-left policies". Those I hear who are concerned about the EU reform treaty are moderate, rational and deep-thinking people. When I read the Taoiseach also said some fundamentalist groups following the same nonsense they followed since 1972, I know he is not giving the opportunity to have a logical and comprehensive debate.