Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to make one comment to the Minister of State on the review mechanism. We often get amendments in the House from Senators Higgins or Ruane on a six-month review or to have a report back after six months. Is that being ruled out completely? I will speak on peer support only and I will not come back in again. The issue of health and well-being is important and despite what Senator Craughwell is saying, the Minister of State has moved gargantuanly from the beginning to now. Senator Doherty has highlighted the issue of several incidents. There is a real need for a better model for flight crew and for pilots in particular.

As part of our research for this Bill we found that flight crews and pilots do not like to talk about mental health issues, sexuality and personal issues and that is for a number of reasons. These reasons include status, job and licence. It is important that we promote the issue of health and well-being and that we offer that support. In fairness to the Minister of State she is doing that. The peer programme must include the ability to inform and educate flight crews and pilots in the area of mental health and well-being. If we do nothing else in this Bill we should insert that and make it part of what we are about. From talking to pilots and from doing research I have seen that pilots are slow to talk. Being able to talk helps to resolve issues and this must be enabled to take place in a confidential and trusted environment. That is coming to me from pilots and flight crews. I know the Minister of State is moving but it is important that we see that we are doing that.