Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

Senator Fitzgerald is right to say there are more important stories than the George Lee story. I ask the Leader to organise a debate on mental health services. I have asked for such a debate on several occasions. The George Lee story was captured by the media all day yesterday. Perhaps one eighth of that time could have been devoted to mental health issues such as obesity, eating disorders and, in particular, the stigma attached to mental illness. Other Senators spoke passionately about this matter on the Order of Business previously when we looked for a debate on the subject. It would be an achievement if the media were to devote one eighth of its time to the stigma attached to mental illness. Last Sunday week Marian Finucane interviewed the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy John Moloney, who spoke about his mental health. People who called the show described the Minister of State as brave which is the wrong word to use as it will ensure the stigma will continue. It is about time legislators made a conscious and forceful effort to try to remove the stigma associated with mental illness. This would loosen the chains that tie down hundreds of thousands of people, especially those in the workforce who are afraid to tell anyone about their mental health or that they have been treated for a mental illness.