Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the representatives who are appearing before the committee. This is almost a first for this committee. Normally witnesses appear before the committee after some service has ceased or threatens to cease, such as RTE's long wave service. This initiative is positive. It is clear from what the Samaritans said in their opening statements, and this would be reflected by each and every Oireachtas Member from visits to constituency offices, that there is a huge need for the service. Words cannot describe sufficiently the amount of good work being done for every community by the Samaritans nationwide.

We often refer people to or seek help for them from out-of-hour services late in the evening. In light of the coming together of the industry and the Samaritans, the former has obviously identified a need among people who do not have credit on their mobile telephones or funds available to conduct their business. That is crucial. It is important that we, as an Oireachtas committee, encourage industry-----