Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

Three weeks ago, I raised the issue in the House of mental health based on the review of the mental health inspectorate. I referred to two wards in St. Loman's Hospital in Mullingar that have been deemed by the inspectorate as being unfit for human habitation. It described the wards as desolate and depressing, with paint peeling from the walls.

The House has discussed the matter of mental health over and back, up and down and the glossy A Vision for Change report was produced, but we are doing nothing for those who most need us to be their voice. Yesterday, visiting committees were discussed, but the comments were a load of balderdash. We do not need visiting committees. Rather, we need the money ring-fenced by the HSE from sales to provide people with proper human living conditions. They are vulnerable and need us to be their voice. I commend the all-party committee on mental health under Senator Fitzgerald and Deputy Chris Andrews. I also commend the service users who appeared before it. They were critical of the Government and of the fact that it was not re-investing money in mental health services.