Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have received apologies from Deputy Ciara Conway, Deputy Eamonn Maloney, Senator MacSharry, Senator Imelda Henry and Senator Jillian van Turnhout.

Our topic this morning is the issue of suicide in Ireland. I thank Senator John Gilroy, who has been acting as the committee rapporteur for the past 18 months and has compiled and completed the report of the joint committee. He has put in a good deal of work and travelled thousands of kilometres throughout the country engaging with members of the public, those affected by suicide and those working with people, families and various organisations. As part of his work we are holding two sessions of further public engagement today on this topical, sensitive and important issue for many people, not only those in government and the Houses of the Oireachtas but those in many communities throughout the country.

I welcome Professor Ella Arensman from the National Suicide Research Foundation. I also welcome Dr. Myra Cullinane, vice president, Coroners Society of Ireland. I welcome Dr. Steve MacFeely, assistant director general from the Central Statistics Office in Cork as well as Mr. Paul Crowley, senior statistician. I also welcome viewers on UPC channel 207 who are watching the programme this morning.

Before we commence I wish to remind people of the position regarding privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, your should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or persons or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice or ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I welcome again Professor Ella Arensman, who is director of research at the National Suicide Research Foundation. She is an adjunct professor in the department of epidemiology and public health at University College Cork and president of the International Association of Suicide Prevention.