Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Coughlan for attending. I congratulate him and wish him well in his post.

In County Limerick, which neighbours the county for which Mr. Coughlan was county manager, agricultural safety is a major issue. Construction safety is also an issue according to his presentation. That industry is beginning to expand again. From my own campaigning, though, I have picked up on issues relating to mental health in the workplace. I will offer a suggestion for future consideration. Agriculture and construction are male-oriented industries, in that most of their workers are male. Men find it challenging to discuss mental health issues and express their views. Unfortunately, this is apparent in some of the figures on a number of tragedies in recent years.

While we are all trying to promote positive well-being and mental health through education, more could be done in the workplace, especially as regards male-oriented work. I understand that females also work in those industries, but the workers are predominantly male. An initiative or vision should be put in place in the coming years to identify trends and communicate about mental health well-being to these people through their work. Whatever help Mr. Coughlan requires from our side, I would be more than willing to give it. It is time that we be more innovative on this matter. Our intentions are always in the right place, but finding innovative solutions is difficult. Now that the issue has been mentioned, mental health is coming more to the fore commercially with a view towards saving on sick days and the like because of stress. We could have a double whammy and educate people on health and safety through the workplace.