I want to speak to amendment No. 206. It is straightforward. We probably spent an awful lot of time the last day going over and back. There is probably an element, at times, when dealing with the reality out there, that sometimes what is lacking is a code of practice. It would ensure communication. It is an absolute necessity to make sure that this is happening within the service. It makes absolute sense with regard to capacity assessments and care plans. It is important that we have straightforward guidelines and communications and that everyone is on song in order that we can provide best practice regarding treatment for those who have particular challenges and particular issues within the mental health field. I refer to amendment No. 211. We all know the logic, and we have seen it once again, regarding best practice. When talking about the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, the age of 25 is probably more logical. We have always talked - perhaps beyond mental health services - about the idea that a patient falls off a cliff. This prevents this circumstance from arising and that treatment can be followed through on. There is a greater logic to the age of 25 than to the age of 18. This is just making sure that we come up with something that works regarding resourcing and staffing. In fairness, Deputy McGuinness put it well in the sense that this could be leveraged and that a Minister in the future could be happy with it. It is about the delivery of a system that works. Amendment No. 212 contains provisions for a complaints process. This is a protection for all, including those who work in the mental health sphere. We all know of issues that have arisen and of really tragic conditions. We also know families who have been absolutely distraught and not particularly happy. We know that there will be a variance between them and where they are coming at it from with those who work in mental health services. It makes absolute sense, not only that we would have a robust complaints process that actually works, but that it is also seen to work and is as transparent as possible. I see an absolute logic in that regard. Again, these amendments are trying to make sure that we have a system that is fit for purpose in delivering the treatment that is necessary.

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Regarding the amendments, what we have said and why we have tabled them is straightforward. I accept what the Minister of State said regarding amendment No. 206. The big thing is reiterating the point about codes of practice and guidelines and making sure that we have internal communications where they need to be. It is always frightening to hear the figures that Deputy Clarke spoke about. The Minister of State referred to the 4,500 on the waiting list and the 763 who have been waiting over a year. We are dealing with a huge number of families who are going to be under severe stress. There is complete logic to what Deputy Clarke says, in the sense that all information needs to be contained. We also accept that referrals will be made. Sometimes it is a different service that is required. It is about making sure that the information is widely available and also that we are all aware that a child approached CAMHS because that is where the referral was sent. That was not the service that was deemed to be required. At that stage, we are into the "no wrong door" and all the rest of it, even that single point of access that we have spoken about for a long time. However, we have all dealt with those issues in CAMHS. It is easy to say that this should have been done before and whatever else. If there are places that are operating with best practice, it is essential that the piece of work regarding what the Minister said about digging down into the weeds and doing due diligence is done as soon as possible. We need to find the means of transferring that, while ensuring that everyone who requires treatment is getting the appropriate and required treatment. Obviously, it is not much addition if someone is playing around with figures or whatever. I am not for a second saying that is the case but it is a matter of doing that piece of work as soon as possible and making sure we can deliver something that is a lot better. At this time we have too many people who have been failed. We all know the issue. The Minister of State spoke earlier about eating disorders. We all know that for parents of young people or adults who needed to get treatment for an eating disorder, it often took far too long. The treatment that was required ended up being a hell of a lot more acute and required emergency beds, sometimes not in this State. We really need to get that piece a lot better. We often talk about early interventions. We need to make sure that they happen. It is fit for purpose and we just need to get to that point as soon as possible. We cannot be operating with these long waiting lists because they serve nobody.

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We were nearly there.

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