Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

Trust and confidence in politics are at a low ebb. Trust in the Government and between the partners in government is also low. It is important, therefore, that we in this House do what we can to restore trust in order that the people will have confidence in the work we do. Tonight we will debate a motion on special needs assistants. We have heard many comments from Ministers that there have not been cutbacks in frontline services but people are experiencing severe cutbacks in this area. We must discuss the issue.

In terms of being relevant, many of us spoke yesterday about the need to discuss the banking crisis and job creation. When will we have these debates?

In the last two weeks "Prime Time" has highlighted the plight of women who underwent an horrific procedure known as symphysiotomy in some of our maternity hospitals, in some cases as late as the 1980s. I welcome the decision of the Minister for Health and Children that the matter should be referred to an outside inquiry to be undertaken by the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. However, this may not be enough; an independent inquiry may be necessary. It is critical that we learn lessons about why these procedures were carried out and the principles that determined they be undertaken because, clearly, they were not medical. I ask the Leader to convey this view to the Minister for Health and Children.

I wish to raise two other issues, the first of which is the appalling situation regarding mental health and the lack of implementation of A Vision for Change. Will the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy John Moloney, come before the House to make a statement on inputs in the area of mental health?