Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

This is the first day of the new European Commission. I welcome the appointment of Máire Geoghegan-Quinn to the position of Commissioner. I was only in the Dáil two days after my election when I got a four page foolscap handwritten letter from her. I wish I had sent it on to George Lee when he got elected because it acknowledged that "the Dáil can be a lonely place unless one thinks about the following". It was a practical letter about what one needed to do, how one needed to engage and interact with one's colleagues or one could become isolated and lonely in the House. That was the calibre of the person who contacted me, whom we have now sent to Europe. I wish the new Commission well.

I agree that we must keep mental health central to the agenda. I have been trying to pursue the issue of music therapy and have sought professional recognition for it. On "Prime Time" last night one of the issues that arose was the importance of alternative ways of coping with mental health. Music therapy is recognised throughout the English speaking world as central to dealing with people with mental health and other issues. The Minister of State with responsibility for disability issues and mental health, Deputy John Moloney, is working diligently in that sphere. It would be useful for us to be a conduit to spread the information on what is going on, but also to focus on what gaps remain to be filled. We should have a regular debate twice or three times a year in the presence of the Minister with responsibility for mental heath so we could not only be enlightened but also help to progress the issue. We know drink and drugs are issues and that people who watch television are told what they should be doing and how they should be living. In reality, much of that message is not particularly positive but we also have the other side of television where one can be given information such as the "Prime Time" programme last night.