Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

I support the call by Senator Feeney for a debate on mental health. I would warmly welcome such a debate which would not pertain to a particular category. I have dealt with nurses, doctors, counsellors, farmers, lawyers and teachers. Anyone anywhere can suffer from mental illness and that is what makes it all the more important. I never could see why a stigma should be associated with it but that is the reality. Under the old health board system, there were regular visiting committees for residents in long-stay institutions. They have ceased since the advent of the HSE and I strongly disagree with this. The committees comprised professionals and councillors from the various areas and they provided contact with the outside world for residents. I regret that they have ceased because the people concerned are not being served well in their absence. Will the Leader also include the recent report from the Inspector of Mental Hospitals in the debate? It poses more questions than it answers and I would like to air my views on the report because it does not reflect the situation as it should be reflected.

We had a useful debate for a few hours on head shops. There are two such shops in Mullingar. Every day I meet people who express concern about these outlets and the potential harm they may cause to young people. I was told by a taxi driver recently that two 13 year old boys were seen exiting one of the head shops late at night.