Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I join others in welcoming the appointment, for the first time, of a woman Commissioner by an Irish Taoiseach. As others have said, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn is a person of immense ability and has a great track record. While I am delighted that a woman has been appointed, I have to say I am sorry it is a Fianna Fáil woman. I think she will do a very good job. I hope this House can have a more general debate on women's participation in politics. Perhaps the new Commissioner could be invited to address the House on that topic. I remind Senators that Máire Geoghegan-Quinn came to Leinster House last December, at my invitation, along with many of her former colleagues from both Houses who are women. Indeed, many current women Members of the Oireachtas were also in attendance. We had a great day during which we filled nearly half the Chamber with women representatives. I would like to see a debate in this House on women's participation - Senator McDonald called for it last week - particularly on foot of the report from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights that recently made an all-party recommendation for various changes to enable more women to be represented in politics. I ask the Leader for an early debate on the matter.

Like Senator Feeney I ask for a debate on mental health. I saw the newspaper report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children which was advised by the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, that the Central Mental Hospital would be moving to a new site, the announcement of which would be made early in the new year, but that this new site would not be at Thornton Hall. On many previous occasions I have asked for a debate on prisons and particularly what would happen with Thornton Hall. I have been assured many times that every aspect of the Thornton Hall development would go ahead. I am delighted the Central Mental Hospital will not be moving to Thornton Hall. It was always regarded as inappropriate that a central mental hospital would be in a prison complex. However, we need to have a debate on what will happen with the Central Mental Hospital and with those in the prison population who have mental health issues. As colleagues know, Professor Harry Kennedy, the director of the Central Mental Hospital, will speak in the AV room at noon at my invitation facilitated by the Irish Penal Reform Trust to discuss mental health in prisons. It is a very important issue given the high level of mental illness among prisoners and given the question mark over the future of the Central Mental Hospital. I ask the Leader for a debate on the matter.