Madam, - I simply must take issue with a remark reported in The Irish Times last Friday in your coverage of the conference of the Association of Suicidology. Prof Michael Fitzgerald, the chairman of the association, is reported as having suggested that I regard mental illness as a "myth".
This is wholly untrue. I have never uttered words that would allow him to draw such a conclusion. Far from being a myth, it is a clear reality that many in our society suffer from a psychiatric illness and my absolute determination, and that of the Government, is to make sure that we provide the best treatment and the best environment for people to live their lives to the fullest.
Indeed the very fact that the Government has for the first time appointed a minister with responsibility for mental health is proof positive of the priority that the Government attaches to the area.
Recently, in an ongoing debate widely covered in the media, I have questioned what I believe to be an over-reliance on the use of drugs in the treatment of mental illness. I make no apology for raising those concerns; I truly believe that we should always keep treatment methods under review. But for people to suggest that by raising such concerns that I am suggesting that mental illness is a "myth" is completely unfair and entirely untrue. - Yours, etc,
TIM O'MALLEY TD, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children with special responsibility for Mental Heath, Dáil Éireann, Dublin 2.