Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and wish him well going forward in his new position. I also thank the Green Party Senators for using their Private Members' time to table this important and timely motion.

The results of the European Commission's research report, which shows that Ireland is the loneliest country in the EU, are honestly really shocking. They run contrary to many of our assumptions about Irish life. We think of Ireland as such a warm place, full of close-knit communities and community spirit, but there are so many people who fall through the cracks. Some 20% of respondents, as others have said, reported feeling lonely all or most of the time, while the EU average is 13%. My heart breaks for the one in five Irish people who feels so utterly and totally alone. If I could say something directly to those people, it is that my hope is that it is likely there are people in their lives who care about them deeply and would offer support if they were asked for it. Often, reaching out is so difficult but it can be truly life-changing. Every single person is unique, valuable and worthwhile. If you feel lonely, there are so many people who feel the same way. You are not on your own. With some courage, you might be able to find other people to share your worth. You enrich the lives of others, as they enrich yours.

I am glad the motion and the briefing notes that were circulated by Mental Health Reform make note of the commitment in the programme for Government to publish an action plan to combat loneliness. That is really good news. There are also worthwhile commitments on the topic in the Healthy Ireland strategy and the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025, and I encourage colleagues who represent the parties in government to exert themselves to make sure these commitments are fulfilled within the lifetime of this Government. This issue is just too important and too urgent to ignore.

An issue I would like to raise is the importance that public services play in countering extreme loneliness. Throughout this country, there are postmen, bus drivers, librarians and others who go above and beyond to connect with the people they serve. The conversations they often have with the people they serve can be a lifeline for people who are experiencing loneliness. I have seen this at first hand. When my mother was living on her own, it was often the postman who would stop to talk to her for a long time, and it really broke up the day for her. As the interfaces of public services become more digitised, we need to consider the impact of self-service terminals, unmanned train stations and post office closures on loneliness. We need to make sure our public services are fully accessible to older people and people who struggle with technology. We must make sure that people have the option of interacting with humans and that they are not forced to constantly use screens.

We know from the research that there are moments in people's lives when they are particularly vulnerable to loneliness. I want to highlight the example of prisoners who suffer from loneliness, as well as people who might be in recovery from addiction. It can be very isolating. There are also people who are vulnerable because of bereavement or the transitions from education to employment or employment to retirement. An action plan on loneliness should include targeted actions to support people during those crucial junctures. It must also include a strategy to support groups that are particularly vulnerable to loneliness, such as those I have just mentioned.

The increased prevalence of loneliness within the LGBT community is unsurprising given the rising levels of vile homophobic and transphobic rhetoric in our politics and in traditional and social media. Being LGBT can be a profoundly lonely experience for those who have not found other members of their community to connect with. Being different is so hard, especially when you are young and the desire to fit in is all-consuming. The issue of LGBT loneliness underscores the importance of LGBT venues and organisations, which need our support now more than ever. The marriage equality referendum and the Gender Recognition Act were massive steps forward for LGBT people and Irish society more broadly, but we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent.

We need to reflect on the root causes of this epidemic of loneliness across the developed world, where there has been a decline in the memberships of political, civic and religious organisations and trade unions. These organisations, which once structured our lives and communities and provided opportunities for career progression, volunteering, education, self-expression and socialisation, have contracted. In many cases, membership has shrunk and become passive and the organisations' functions have been almost entirely monopolised by paid staff. We can see this process in action in Irish politics, where parties sometimes struggle to find candidates and need to hire firms to erect posters and distribute leaflets, instead of this being done by party activists in many areas. The decline in civic life contributes to loneliness and a more hollowed-out, less representative political process. We need to find ways to make these important institutions more attractive to young people who are trying to navigate adulthood while searching for a sense of belonging and purpose. Taking a more grassroots activist approach may be a potential pathway forward.

To anyone out there who is feeling lonely, I can only share my own experience and encourage them to get involved in a cause they believe in. Activism has always provided me with a sense of community. It is how I met my husband and many of my closest friends. It is the best antidote to despair. All over Ireland, there are kind, intelligent people who are mobilising in response to the climate crisis, the genocide in Palestine, and against racism and division. It is a fantastic way to make that connection with people and also be an activist.