Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will start where Senator Bacik finished with regard to the Magdalen laundries. We had a debate in the House earlier this year which was adjourned and not resumed. I ask for the resumption of that debate. I am incredulous that the four religious congregations have said they will not be contributing to any financial redress scheme. I do not accept that statement. We know that property belonging to just one of the orders was sold during the boom for €61.8 million. The Justice for Magdalenes group has estimated that the four orders received €266 million in property deals alone. The State fund will be a maximum of €58 million, but will range between €34 million and €58 million.

It is unacceptable for them to say they will not be contributing.

The reports that were published today on mental health expenditure were déjà vu. The Official Report for the House would show that we had the same debate this time last year. We read the same newspaper reports and we were reassured. In January 2013 the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, assured the Joint Committee on Health and Children not only that we would have €35 million for this year but that we would also take last year's €35 million, for a total of €70 million. However, it has now been reported that critical positions in mental health will not be filled. How many debates have we held in this House on suicide? I want clarity rather than reassurances. I want to hear that the posts are being filled and that we are providing the community services that are necessary.

There has been extensive debate on the cost of the Seanad. I ask the Government to prepare an implementation plan on Dáil reform which would set out details, costs and timelines of that necessary reform. It is not acceptable to conduct a debate with only one side of the figures. I want to see the details of Dáil reform.