Evanne Ní Chuilinn (Fine Gael)

I want to return to the amendments on dual diagnosis. We cannot trip up over language. This cannot be a debate about semantics. If "dual diagnosis" is the wrong term, then find a new term. The Minister of State said that people who presented with mental health problems were being treated for their mental health problems, but we cannot separate the two in these instances. It is really specific and does not apply to a dual diagnosis of a severe learning disability, ADHD or addiction. I do not care if people want to call it a triple diagnosis. We cannot help people if we cannot agree on how to treat vulnerable people. They cannot help themselves and need help. We are all human and we all have stories about how we have lost friends and family members due to the aftereffects of a dual diagnosis, but we have an opportunity now to admit that we might be making a mistake and either find a new term for what we are talking about or find a way to make sure these people are protected and not turned away. People who work in mental health facilities and addiction services are doing their jobs. Everybody is doing their best in the same way that we are all trying to do our job as well. Sometimes, the job of such staff is to say "No". We have to protect them to let them say "Yes". It is how I lost my brother. He was turned away from mental health facilities and addiction services because of the dual diagnosis piece. Everybody in this room knows somebody who has been treated in the same way. It is really important that we pause for a beat. If we cannot insert the term "dual diagnosis" in a broader context, then we need to find a new term for a very specific case whereby we have these people who cannot help themselves. As other Senators have said, these people are falling through the cracks. It is our job to save them and ensure that they do not fall through the cracks. It cannot be left at us not agreeing on language. I ask that any language problem be addressed.

I want to put this on the record. The Minister of State said that it was not just one addiction and it could be gambling, drugs or alcohol. Alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs. Alcohol is potent, dangerous and damaging. It is really important that we do not lose sight of the fact that it is not a drug.