Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----the vast majority of people who kill themselves tell someone that they intend to do so and, therefore, should be believed. I think that is a very profound statement and will have an impact. From my brief understanding of suicide and the bereaved families I deal with, very few of them in that tragic situation seem to have been told, or knew anything about it, beforehand. Is there any evidence to sustain that? Perhaps that point could be clarified.

Professor O'Keane's written submission stated that in situations where abortion services are not available, unwanted pregnancy is a leading cause of suicide. In her verbal presentation this morning, she said it was a leading cause of death.

In Ireland in the 1950s, 10% of Irish women who killed themselves were pregnant. Do we have a figure on what the number was? Of the 10% who killed themselves when pregnant, do we have any statistics on what the basis was? Was it as a result of the pregnancy or prior mental health? Perhaps Professor Malone can answer those questions.