Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)

I thank the many voluntary organisation involved in this area, including GROW, AWARE, Schizophrenia Ireland, Mental Health Ireland and the Samaritans, all of which are involved in raising public awareness, addressing local needs and dealing with individuals and families who have been traumatised and devastated by suicide in their family circle or community. I have personal experience of suicide in my extended family. I thank Deputy Neville who regularly raises the issue of suicide and Deputies from all sides who spoke on the issue last night and this morning in a concerned, compassionate and genuine manner.

Suicide must be addressed in a sympathetic and sensitive manner using effective, urgent and committed means. Unfortunately, none of these terms applies to the Government amendment and I join my colleague, Deputy Gregory, in asking the Minister to withdraw it, even at this late stage, and allow the motion to be passed unanimously. The amendment borders on the dishonest and is clearly disingenuous. It refers, for example, to Government initiatives which have resulted in the "placement of liaison psychiatric nurses in accident and emergency departments of general hospitals". Deputies are given to believe that a liaison nurse is available in every accident and emergency department on a 24-hour basis. As the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, is aware, this is untrue, as is clear from his decision last night to amend his speech by inserting the word "many" before accident and emergency departments. It is disingenuous of the Government to make this claim given that a liaison psychiatric nurse is not available in every accident and emergency department and, even where one is available, it is not on a 24-hour basis. What happens after 5 p.m. or at weekends? As Deputy Gregory who tested the system told us, nothing happens.

The amendment also refers to "the provision of training to relevant health care personnel". The relevant personnel are solely professionals, that is, nurses and doctors. What is the position regarding non-nursing personnel such as cleaning, catering and porter staff who have a track record in developing contacts with vulnerable patients? They, too, should be trained in matters relating to suicidal behaviour. We have heard about directories of services but many of them are gathering dust on shelves. I call on the Minister of State at this late stage to withdraw the amendment and allow the motion to pass unanimously.

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