Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Coghlan, Harris, Keaveney, Buttimer, Ormonde, Feeney, Ó Brolcháin, Donohoe, McFadden, Corrigan, Quinn, Glynn, Healy Eames and Bacik gave their views on last night's "Prime Time" programme and called for a further debate on mental health. As Members know we had at least three debates on this issue with the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney. Senator Corrigan has been a champion of this issue, as has Senator Feeney and Senator Glynn who spent a lifetime working in psychiatric services and who has a great deal of expertise in this area. I acknowledge the view of a person who comes from a background in this sector. I know from my experience that there has been a huge improvement in services compared with the services in place when we became members of a health board in 1985. Many patients are living in beautiful homes in the community and that represents a major improvement in this area.

I wish to inform the House that I have a note in my diary that the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, will be in attendance in the House on 3 May to discuss mental health issues. It will be an all afternoon session and longer if Members require it. I will discuss this with the leaders at our meeting next Tuesday.

In regard to the new European Commission, on behalf of the House I send our best wishes to our new European Commissioner, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. Europe will be well served by this experienced person who is representing Ireland and the Commission.