Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Gilroy for all the work he has done. It is clear the Senator has invested a significant amount of time and effort in preparing the draft report. I am of the view that it will make a very useful contribution to the committee's overall contribution to addressing this most serious and distressing subject. I also thank our guests for their respective contributions.

I have a number of brief questions to ask in respect of what we have been told. There is much to be grappled with in the context of what has been said. I would like to ask the opinion of Professor Arensman from the National Suicide Research Foundation on a particular matter. It is stated in the foundation's submission that a survey carried out in respect of the incidence of suicide in Cork city and county and the impact thereon of the recession shows that nearly half of those who were unemployed at time of death had a history of alcohol and/or drug abuse. Of 307 suicide cases that the foundation investigated in great depth, 35.8% of the individuals involved were unemployed at time of death. In addition, there were questions as to what might have been underlying contributory factors - in the context of a disposition towards alcohol and/or drug abuse - in 55% of those 307 cases. The foundation proposes to carry out a further comparative test in conjunction with the authorities on the neighbouring island and across this island. It has cast this matter in the context of the recession and there is no question that the latter and the difficulties to which it has given rise have been a factor in terms of the incidence of suicide.

There is no question in my mind that the recession and the difficulties contingent on it have been a factor in suicide incidence. I am aware of that in my constituency.

Is it possible to do an assessment for the years prior to 2007 to ascertain whether the same statistics would hold if alcohol and drug abuse were as prevalent at all times as opposed to in the context of a recession only? Such an exercise would shine a useful light on that area. Death by suicide constitutes approximately one sixth of all deaths taken into account in the exercise. I ask the witnesses to comment. Could they undertake such an exercise? Dealing with the situation as we know it is by far the most informative approach. I am a little puzzled as to the reason our Scottish cousins have been able to make such significant progress in suicide prevention. Perhaps our guests would comment on that matter also.

It was very interesting to note the information shared with us on the role of coroners. This is an area of significant interest to people and not one where any of us would like to present as it generally indicates that a tragedy of close connection may have taken place. A point was made regarding the compilation of statistics and how we can obtain a more accurate picture. In previous exchanges in this committee members have all been of the view that the statistics understate the factual position and the position is graver than the statistics suggest. I do not recall any member taking a contrary view. Dr. Cullinane is strongly of the opinion that coroners hold the best primary source of statistical and other information in this regard. What specific steps must be taken to ensure this source is of an appropriate standard, exactitude and reliability?

On Dr. MacFeely's presentation on the figures from the Central Statistics Office, it is interesting that the CSO takes a more cautious approach to the general view that the number of suicides has increased. I do not use the word "cautious" in a disparaging manner. The CSO's figures do not blow the views of members out of the water. It was noted that coroners' opinions are overridden for statistical purposes in certain circumstances. I ask Dr. MacFeely to elaborate on that practice. Is it appropriate that it should take place? In respect of my earlier question to Dr. Cullinane, would this practice address the need to have a specific, focused and dependable source, rather than a number of possible sources? Ultimately, we want to get as close to exactitude as possible to better inform how prevention is addressed, as all of us would like.