asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a group of persons (details supplied) resident in Burtonport, County Donegal, who are reported to be engaged in psychiatric treatment of persons; and if he proposes to take any action in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Investigation.
12.
I have read a recent newspaper report on this group and have made inquiries about it. On the information available it would not seem that its activities would come within the scope of the Mental Treatment Acts which give me powers in regard to the registration and supervision of certain private institutions providing psychiatric services.
Has the Minister seen or been given particulars of an article which appeared recently in a journal issued by the British Humanistic Psychiatric Association, or some such body, in relation to this commune which is known as the primal therapy commune? Would he agree that they are treating mental disturbances which is most serious particularly in relation to young people who are sometimes taken in and subjected to this treatment or cult?
The only information I have is that contained in one of the Sunday newspapers. The North Western Health Board have been consulted and they do not consider there is anything sinister about this house—I was going to call it an institution—or the people who live there. While primal therapy may be acceptable in the United States of America, it is not accepted by the medical profession here. They do not purport to treat psychiatric ailments. They claim other cures. I have no evidence that they purport to be a private psychiatric institution. Therefore I have no control over them.
Apart from the theory or the cult surrounding psychological treatment, could the Minister say whether any group of persons may set themselves up here and proceed to treat people for mental disturbances without being required to produce some qualifications, or to show their background, or to be registered? Is it the position that any quacks can go into that serious business which deals with the psychiatric side of medicine?
According to the newspaper, none of the activities in which they engage has anything to do with psychiatry.
Will the Minister probe this matter further and contact his colleague the Minister for Justice about some of the publications which are available in relation to the alleged practices these people carry on?
They were investigated by the North Western Health Board and they were of the opinion that there was nothing sinister in their activities. I am afraid I do not know what sort of treatment they provide for certain cases they say they can cure. I would be reluctant to take any action, even by way of investigation, unless some specific complaint was made to me.
We are dwelling very long on this question. I want to get to other questions.
This is a very important question.
We have had quite a discussion on it.
Is the Minister aware that, within the past week when the local curate made some reference to these people in the course of his duties, he was approached and literally attacked by them for venturing to refer to them?
I am not so aware. The Deputy probably has the advantage of living in the district.
Would the Minister elaborate on the activities of this organisation and give us some details? He seems to have some information about their activities. We would like to know whether they are within the law.
I do not know what the treatment is.
Treatment for what?
I only have the list of —I do not know what you would call them— the disabilities or ailments they say they can cure.
Will the Minister give the House the list? We would like to know what is on the list.
Question No. 13.
May I ask the Minister——
He did not answer my question.
Order.
In view of the very widespread concern about this institution which has been the subject of court cases in the United Kingdom and, I believe, court cases in this country regarding the alleged almost kidnapping of a young mother and two children, and in view of the apparently undesirable and uncontrolled activities carried out in this bizarre establishment, would the Minister communicate and co-ordinate with the Minister for Justice to make sure nothing illegal is going on here because anybody who knows about this matter believes there is?
Could I ask——
Order.
The information being requested here is not being given.
Question No. 13.
The Minister has the information, which might be of interest——
Question No. 13.
They are turning a blind eye.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
The only thing I can refer the Deputy to is the Sunday World of 24th October, 1976. He will get the lurid details there.
If the Minister does not put it on the record he will be failing in his duty.
I have called Question No. 13 on a number of occasions.