John Gilroy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is with some regret that I find myself in agreement with what Senator Darragh O'Brien said about the mental health services in this country. I worked as a psychiatric nurse for 28 years, up to 2011, and what I hear from former - and future - colleagues makes for very dispiriting listening. I refer to the report Senator O'Brien mentioned by the Mental Health Commission and the Inspector of Mental Hospitals. I am very depressed about it because most of what the report tells us is about the physical condition of the facilities and the structure of the services. It tells us very little, however, about the quality of care that is provided in the services. That is a real weakness in the reporting system. I called in recent days on the Leader to organise a comprehensive debate on mental health services and policy in this country and he has graciously agreed to do that. It is an important matter that we must discuss deeply. I asked that a debate would take place in September, which seems a long time away, on the basis that it would give us time to prepare and arm ourselves with the facts. It is with regret that I agree with almost everything Senator O'Brien said.