Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The Defence Forces personnel management system does not have a means to capture the data in this regard. My understanding is that the coroner decides what is the cause of death and obviously suicide sometimes is found to be the cause. However, all kinds of other outcomes are possible and frequently it is not entirely clear what was the cause. Moreover, it is a matter of enormous sensitivity to survivors and family members and is a very difficult issue with which to deal but my understanding is that it is a civil matter to be dealt with by the coroner and that the Defence Forces personnel management system does not have the capacity to accommodate the information.

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