Phil Prendergast (Labour)

It is also a great pleasure for me to be able to welcome the Minister of State to the House. I could not be happier that he has so recently vacated the Chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children. I would agree with both Senator Fitzgerald and the Minister of State that it is an excellent forum where we should seek to have all types of submissions from interested parties right across the divide.

As somebody who has worked in the health services for a long time and whose partner has been working in psychiatry for the past 30 years, I have a degree of knowledge of the subject. This is an opportunity to have a welcome debate. I am aware that among the Senators there is a wide level of experience in the health services and also psychiatry, and we do not come wanting to the Chamber.

Mental ill-health is widely varied. It affects so many elements in society. Whether it is as a fall-out from taking so-called recreational drugs and the psychotic episodes that might occur as a result, an adverse reaction to cannabis, the age profile of a particular personality trait or the wide umbrella under which mental health issues can arise, there are many aspects to the treatment.

In my professional life as a midwife, I especially remember one occasion when a poor lady deteriorated into puerperal psychosis and there was a very dramatic positive effect from the procedure, but I also will temper that by saying that I was horrified by my first viewing of patients having ECT. There is an element of acceptance. I have a great belief in the capacity of professionals to deliver excellent care and to have different methods, both of specialties and treatments.

It will be important in our deliberations in this welcome debate that there would be inputs from all affected parties and, if possible, from people who may have had this particular treatment, and where they found that it was of benefit. If it was not and they are unable to give a view, that is something we must accept as well. Patient advocacy groups are excellent in putting cases for people who may not be able to articulate their own response.

I am a member of the sub-committee on suicide. In that regard, I have a concern which is somewhat related. I suppose it would be remiss of me not to take the opportunity to bring a few items for the Minister of State's shopping basket. Currently in Clonmel there are lands to the value of €12 million belonging to the former health board and undergoing sale. I would like to see that €12 million being reinvested in mental health services.

As has been stated, we are not talking about buildings but about services. On the issue of whether those resources need to be put into new buildings or into services that will meet the needs of youth, I acknowledge there is a desperate need to have an evaluation system that will fully identify the needs of adolescents where it might be decided that they need admission to a bed. I am aware that not all young adolescents who need to be evaluated will need inpatient treatment. In fact, there are many aspects to treatment and to modern methods of research. There are also many methods of modern drug treatments which are effective and are monitored. There are blind studies and double blind studies. There are all sorts of methods of evaluating the effectiveness of treatments carried out.

I will not delay much longer except to say that I welcome the taking of submissions from interested parties through the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children. It is a matter of public record that we would welcome the input from affected and interested individuals, parties, professionals, advocacy groups and, indeed, clients of the service.

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy John Moloney, and I wish him every success in his remit as Minister of State. I say without fear of contradiction that he will make such a difference to the mental health services. There is already a mind change in many elements of society where mental health services are no longer seen as the aspect of care that needed to be swept under the carpet. There also will be a great deal of sensitivity towards those who do not wish to have their personal mental issues discussed. I am always careful when speaking about Clonmel in case somebody asks if I was talking about him or her.

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate and commend the Green Party on its thoughtfulness in bringing an issue, such as this, the fore. I am sure that by the time it reaches finality, we will have the fullest information available. We will be a very informed group, which is welcome. Anything which improves an outcome or a particular treatment is welcome. I do not consider it boldness on the part of Senator Dan Boyle in bringing this Bill before the House. It is a welcome opportunity to contribute to the debate and I thank him for that.