Kilkenny native and ex-RTE presenter sets out stall on first day in the Seanad
The Kilkenny sports presenter spent over two decades in RTE
Newly appointed senator and former RTE sports broadcaster, Evanne Ní Chuilinn has pledged to do all she can to address the issue of 'dual diagnosis'.
"It is a huge honour to be nominated to Seanad Eireann and I'm very grateful to Tánaiste, Simon Harris and the Fine Gael party for their faith in me," she said during her maiden speech in the Seanad on Wednesday.
"It is a humbling experience to be here amongst you, leaders and change makers," she added.
"In the coming weeks and months I want to highlight the issue of dual diagnosis in relation to addiction and mental health.
"We are failing a cohort in this country who have found themselves on that knife edge and I would welcome a debate on the issue."
A dual diagnosis describse a person who presents with a concurrent mental health disorder and a substance use disorder (SUD).
Also in her speech, Ms Ní Chuilinn remarked, "I want to work with members of this house not just to raise the issue of dual diagnosis but to address it and to navigate to help the people who feel they have been deemed beyond help.
"I ask you leader of the Seanad to invite the minister to the house for a debate on this matter," she continued.