James Carroll (Fianna Fail)

I welcome Senator Ó Brolcháin to the House. I am here nearly three weeks and know exactly what he will go through in the next while. If I can be of any assistance to him, he need only ask. This is a huge honour for his family and friends, something I experienced three weeks ago. It is a great day and I hope he makes the most of it because the hard work starts tomorrow morning.

I support Senators White, Corrigan and MacSharry in calling on the Minister of State, Deputy John Moloney, to attend a debate on suicide. For the country 2010 will be a huge year. As Senator MacSharry said, the possible repossession of primary residences will be a big issue and it is inevitable that interest rates will rise over the coming months and years. I was speaking last night to the Drogheda area manager for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He told me the society is now visiting estates which he never imagined he would be visiting in which houses sold for €400,000 and €500,000 up to 12 to 18 months ago.

In that context I welcome the multiannual mental health budget announced last week by the Minister of State, Deputy John Moloney. This House could be a great advocate for protecting the rights of people with regard to the repossession of homes and also with regard to mental health. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on these topics as soon as possible.