Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Let me finish before you say "No". The Senator might get what he wants if he listens. If the Senator waits until the Minister comes in next week and hears what he has to say he can then table his motion rather than doing so tomorrow. I am asking the Senator to defer until he hears what the Minister says first. The Minister will be here next week and as part of that debate Senator Dolan will have an opportunity to make a contribution.

Senators Norris, Warfield, McDowell and Ó Donnghaile referenced the closure of GLEN. It is a tragedy that GLEN is closing. I commend former Senator Gillian van Turnhout for her excellent work on the report she was commissioned to carry out and I thank her for what she has done. Today is the second anniversary of the result of the marriage equality referendum being announced. It is with sadness we speak about the closure of GLEN. Those of us in the LGBT community and beyond, our supporters, friends and allies, recognise the huge work done by the late Chris Robson and people such as Arthur Leahy from Cork, Kieran Rose and others.

I share the views of the Senators that there is a need for an organisation similar to GLEN. If we look at the pathway to marriage equality and gender recognition, we will see it was the approach adopted by GLEN, that incremental approach as enunciated by people such as Brian Sheehan, Tiernan Brady and others, that got us to the day of a referendum, along with the political involvement of political parties and Independents. It is the legacy they have left which can never be airbrushed or changed. If we look at the approach GLEN has taken on the issues of mental health, diversity in the workplace, HIV and education we will see its footprint, and we commend its involvement with various Departments, organisations and agencies.I pay tribute to all those involved in GLEN, including volunteers on the board and those who worked with Departments and Ministers on the journey. It required people to advocate, lobby and work to bring about change. As Senator Michael McDowell said, there were willing partners such as the former Ministers of State, Senators Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and Kevin Humphreys. GLEN was required to bring about change, for which I commend. I hope a new type of GLEN can be established. I hope all of us will commit to undertaking that task. As Senator Fintan Warfield said, at the weekend graffiti of a derogatory nature was painted on the front of a gay bar. We must recognise that there is still work to be done and that the roof of the house has not yet been completed. It is a job which we all need to continue to complete. I share the views of the Senator in that regard.

Senator Maria Byrne praised the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan. I wish him well on his impending retirement. I commend him for the work he has done during a very difficult economic time and thank him for his leadership.

Senator Máire Devine referred to the HSE's report on the review of the maternity clinical complaints system which was published today. I very much welcome its publication, as a former Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health which examined issues which arose in Portlaoise. It is an important report which highlights inadequacies and the ways in which the health system needs to change. I regret that it has taken so long to do so. Some of the stark findings made in the report are a reminder that we must be increasingly vigilant, rather than complacent, in the way women, newborn babies and families are treated. In some cases, the recommendations are being implemented in Portlaoise. There is a need for openness and a people-centred approach and to listen to and respond with empathy to women and others who speak about their treatment and the ways in which they need to be cared for and supported. The Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, is very committed to implementing the recommendations made.

Senator Robbie Gallagher has mentioned that this is Children's Hospice Week. I commend the work being done by LauraLynn which I visited as a former Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health. I commend the work of its staff and those who fundraise and volunteer. I commend the care and support they give to children with life-limiting conditions. There is a need for a joined-up approach by the Government and the HSE in the provision of hospice and specialist palliative care, therapies and other supports for young children. My heart goes out to the families affected. I endorse the remarks made by the Senator in that regard.

Senator Jennifer Murnane O'Connor referred to HSE mental health services. Senator Ray Butler also made a very good comment. When Senator Jennifer Murnane O'Connor's party was in government, it was the land of milk and honey. It forgot about lots of services and people. The Government is now playing catch-up. I agree that the mental health service was the Cinderella of the health service for a long time. That is why there has been an increase in the HSE mental health budget from €86 million last year to €853 million this year and additional staff have been recruited. There is a plan to a develop 24/7 mental health care service.