Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today is a very good example of how success has many fathers. I want to echo what was said by Senator Seery Kearney. If we are going to acknowledge the Windsor Framework and the work that has been put into it, we need to acknowledge all the people who have played their part.I acknowledge the Tánaiste's role in it but the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coveney, held the foreign affairs portfolio for five and a half years. The Leader was Opposition spokesperson on this area when the Minister, Deputy Coveney, was at the Department of Foreign Affairs and she knows the amount of work he put into it. The Cathaoirleach knows the patience the Minister, Deputy Coveney, has had and the sacrifices he has personally made to find a solution on Brexit during his five years as Minister for Foreign Affairs. If we are going to recognise the success that has been had last year, there is nobody in this country who has played a bigger role than Simon Coveney and that needs to be recognised. I hope the Leader, having been Opposition spokesperson at that time, recognises it too.

I ask for a debate with the Minister for Health in recognition of the fact this is Eating Disorders Awareness Week. I acknowledge the work of Amanda Lynch in promoting and highlighting eating disorders and the language around them. Only 5% to 15% of people who suffer from eating disorders seek help. Of those who seek it, about 85% feel they do not have the support that is available. When we are talking about disorders, we must recognise language, and how we speak, as well as the role media and parenting play in that, are all key. We need a debate in the House with the Minister about how we can promote the services available for people but how we as a society actually discuss that. Someone like Amanda who does it on social media has a platform to communicate with people about how you speak at home about eating, to young children in particular. It is about not putting pressure on people when they eat too little or too much, but about being more open in that discussion. I would appreciate our having a debate on that.