Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Marc MacSharry, the acting Leader of the Opposition, raised the question of mental health and asked about progress on "A Vision for Change". It is regrettable, as Senator Mary White said, that the ¤35 million allocated was not spent last year. I understand there is a roll-over of the money and that ¤70 million will be spent this year, which will certainly help to address mental health issues. We cannot dismiss the effect of the economic downturn. There is no quick fix solution to tackling this extensive and complex problem. The National Office of Suicide Prevention has developed a range of initiatives aimed specifically at supporting young people who are suicidal and assisting their peers to recognise and respond appropriately to signs of emotional distress and suicidal thoughts. The annual budget for suicide prevention has increased this year to more than ¤13 million, of which some ¤8.1 million is administered by the National Office of Suicide Prevention to fund voluntary and statutory agencies to deliver prevention, intervention and research services. The balance of ¤5 million is available regionally to fund resource offices for suicide prevention. Action is being taken and I assure Members that it will continue to address this most serious national problem.

Senator Marc MacSharry also asked about the membership of the Heritage Council. We will certainly raise the matter with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan. I join Senator Marc MacSharry in welcoming our special Olympians to the House. All Members will wish them well and success for the future.

Senator Ivana Bacik raised the matter of patronage of secondary schools. We will certainly arrange for the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, to come to the House to discuss that topic. I note the points the Senator raised.

Senator Cáit Keane, Senator Sean Barrett, Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh and Senator John Kelly raised the memorandum of understanding between Ireland and the United Kingdom on wind energy and the prospect of assembling all stakeholders.

Senator John Kelly also referred to the memorandum of understanding on wind energy and the prospect of getting all stakeholders together. I am sure the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, will be quite willing to come to the House to discuss that matter at the earliest possible opportunity. In that regard, Senator Sean D. Barrett expressed concerns about various bodies, in respect of which a cost benefit analysis should be done.

Senator Susan O?Keeffe raised the question of bullying and asked that the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, come to the House to discuss it. We will certainly invite him to do so. The Senator also asked that we invite, or get a group to meet, Ms Fiona Doyle. The Taoiseach is meeting her and if we can be of any assistance, I will have no objection to representatives of the House also meeting her. I assure the Senator that the positions on the Food Safety Board will be filled very soon. I note her points on the contamination of burgers and we will invite the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to come to the House to outline the exact position.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh raised the question of commercial quantities of oil being found and mentioned the needle in the haystack. We have found some but whether it is in commercial quantities and can be brought ashore is another problem. I assure the Senator that the Government will at all times represent the interests of citizens in this matter.

Senator Paul Coghlan spoke about the return of valuable paintings that had been stolen and told us about their historical significance and the Earls of Kenmare and so on. We welcome their return and I am sure the Senator will be to the fore in ensuring they are hung again in Killarney House.