Failure to Support Sinn Féin’s motion on Mental Health is very disappointing.

The motion on 24/7 Mental Health Care reflected a most urgent need and immediate concern. It was a very focused and considered motion. The motion was a first step in addressing the lack of investment in our Mental Health services. The vote on Thursday allowed Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and those independents who are supporting the government  an opportunity to take that first step and vote for a motion that went beyond generalised commitments and aspirations. I was very dissapointed by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and those independents who supported the governments’s amendment by voting for or abstaining on the Sinn Féin’s Private members motion on 24/7 crisis intervention services. By doing so FF, FG failed those people who most need these services. They have failed the groups and organisations who have campaigned for these services as well. We need action now not words.