Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

Patients, especially those involved in rehabilitation, need support and should not be put in isolated areas like Thornton Hall. A certain stigma is already attached to mental health and mental health patients and we should not exacerbate it by putting such people in a facility adjacent to a prison. That would amount to criminalisation by association and I feel mental health patients need better support from the State. The present proposals amount to a policy of "out of sight, out of mind". I ask that the Minister responsible for these proposals come before the House, before it is too late, and give mental health patients the proper treatment they deserve. I request the Leader to ensure this happens.