Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate Senator Ó Brolcháin and his family on his election on this special day. I add my voice to the sympathies extended by colleagues to the family of Garda McLoughlin.

In last week's budget the Minister announced €47 million for mental health services. Additional funding will be allocated from the sale of assets and separate funding will be provided for the new central mental health facility. The Minister for Finance has indicated that he is considering a new location for the proposed new central mental health facility. He also announced a comprehensive mental health review for February or March 2010 to consider the future of mental health services and the implementation of A Vision for Change. The year 2010 is to be one of the most significant years for mental health services in our country's short history.

There is an opportunity for this House to have a real and meaningful input into our future mental health services. I ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister of State, Deputy John Moloney, to attend the House immediately upon our return in January to facilitate us in this opportunity. Many Members will contribute experience and ideas and they can advocate on behalf of services of which they are aware. If we are to avail of this opportunity, we must do it before the end of January. While I appreciate there are many demands on the Leader's time as he tries to juggle the schedule, I cannot overstate the urgency of this matter in light of the significance of the 2010 date.