Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Senator Feeney mentioned an issue I wished to raise, given we are in Eating Disorder Week. It is an important matter that affects 7,000 people directly and has significant consequent problems for families and society. This Government published A Vision for Change in 2006 and it has not delivered in its commitment. I agree with Senator Feeney's comments.

A friend of mine has a daughter using services abroad because she cannot get access to services here. That is a terrible indictment of modern Ireland in its treatment of a young girl struggling to cope with life. This is not a political issue. The report published by Bodywise last week indicated resources were inadequate and the commitment in A Vision for Change has not been implemented. It is about time we had a debate on the whole aspect of services relating to eating disorders. We are not addressing the matter. I ask the Leader to organise the debate as soon as possible.