Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

Having listened to Senator Boyle earlier in the week, I understood it was most likely that we would have a public inquiry. Instead, however, we will have this whitewashed, secret approach behind closed doors. Senator MacSharry is in cloud-cuckoo land if he thinks it will deliver, especially as it will not be transparent, which is the bottom line. We all want a meaningful public inquiry. My sympathy goes to Mr. Honohan, the Governor of the Central Bank, concerning how he will investigate his own staff. There are questions about the legality of that and whether he will be able to deliver upon it. I am very disappointed about this matter.

I wish the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, well in facing his difficult illness. He has all my sympathy as well as that of my constituents in County Westmeath. I want to let him know that, on a personal level, we are very supportive of him and the way in which he has dealt with this sad news. I am sure he will do very well in every way, however.

I support Senator Fitzgerald's comments on A Vision for Change, the report of the expert group on mental health policy. The Leader has given commitments that we would have such a debate. Senator Corrigan has always advocated a debate on that report. Two wards in our local hospital, St. Loman's, were cited as being unfit for human habitation. That is shameful in this day and age. It is urgent that we have a debate on A Vision for Change.