On ECT: "I use it very rarely . . . the most common reason it is used today is by people who had it before and ask for it because it was effective.
"The public only hears about those who feel they have had problems as a result, but most people who have used ECT successfully do not tell anyone. They are the silent majority in that respect. Many years ago, ECT was proven effective with severely depressed patients for whom nothing else worked, but psychiatrists then began using it for all depressed patients. If we could find out the precise mechanism by which ECT works, and isolate that factor, it could be an effective treatment."
On consumer groups: "They're valuable, but European experience shows that they must be cooperative, rather than confrontational, to avoid isolating themselves and being regarded as weirdos."
On private health insurance:
"No psychiatrist likes having to discharge a patient because their private health insurance coverage has run out - and something must be done about it. We need greater competition so that consumers can have a choice as to the kinds of plans they want."
On community support: "The reality is that families provide the community support. If a person does not have a family, they are in trouble. Groups like Schizophrenia Ireland, AA and AWARE can be the only outlets people have in the week."
On the bed shortage: "There is a significant shortage. Today, out of 250 beds, I have two available, and both of those beds would not be available for acute short stays. We in the independent sector have experienced an increased demand for our services due to the fact that 45 per cent of people have VHI, yet we have fewer beds."
On costs: "We have a range of programmes - for eating disorders, alcoholism, mood disorders, behavioural therapy, post-natal depression, young adults, chronic fatigue - and we provide the service at one-third less cost than the public sector."