Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegation and congratulate Professor Arensman on securing the most prestigious position internationally in the area of suicide research and prevention. Before her election to the post of president of the International Association for Suicide Prevention, she held the position of vice-president for many years. All of those involved in suicide prevention are proud of this development. I thank Professor Arensman for her contribution and that of her association towards understanding suicide and suicide research. Is international evidence available on suicides that take place beyond the boundaries of our discussion, for example, in single-vehicle road accidents and certain drownings? No such research has been carried out at national level. Is any information, even low level information, available in this area?

In Northern Ireland and Britain, the coroner can reach a verdict of suicide without an inquest or hearing in the coroner's court. We are all aware of the difficulties and trauma the bereaved endure in a coroner's court, as the process is currently structured. In certain countries, in circumstances where it is obvious that no verdict other than death by suicide can be reached, the coroner can reach a verdict without a hearing. Does Dr. Cullinane have any views on that practice?

A Coroners Bill introduced in 2007 has not yet been passed. I was recently informed that the Bill is to undergo a full review. Has the Coroners Society of Ireland been consulted as part of any such review? What are its views on the Bill?

I found the presentation from the Central Statistics Office very interesting, specifically with regard to Form 104. Some years ago, the National Suicide Research Foundation did good research on the number of these forms being returned. It found that the number of forms returned was much lower in certain areas, especially in Dublin where Garda stations are very busy and gardaí are under great pressure. Has the position changed in this regard? Are coroners concerned about variations in the number of forms being returned between districts and how this divergence may affect statistics? Undetermined deaths are included in suicide statistics in most other jurisdictions and Ireland is one of the few western states where this does not occur. Does Dr. Cullinane have any views on that matter?