Tom Shehan (Fine Gael)

I ask the Leader of the House to invite the Minister for Health into this Chamber for a debate on psychiatric services and the serious deficiencies within those services. While I acknowledge the Minister has only been in office for 100 days, he should come before this House to outline his schedule, with deadlines, regarding the closure of the many outdated institutions that are home to people with psychiatric problems. Many of these institutions are no longer fit for purpose. I refer, in particular, to St. Finian's Hospital in Killarney. At one time it had capacity for more than 300 patients but now there are only 20 in it. I call on the Minister to close it as quickly as possible. I also ask the Leader to bring the Minister to the House for a debate on the country's psychiatric services.