Mr. John Meehan:

In response to Deputy Corcoran Kennedy, suicide can be determined only by a coroner. It cannot be determined by anybody else, such as a doctor in the HSE. Internationally there is a challenge related to identifying specific groups and cohorts of those who have died by suicide, particularly in Ireland considering we have a small community and sensitivities about identification and the associated stigma. This has, however, been addressed internationally with coroners to seek solutions. One cannot identify anybody's sexuality, for example. Connecting for Life has a focus on priority groups. It is very difficult to identify priority groups because the coroner will not determine these. This involves a big conversation that cannot be had in isolation. Internationally, there is a movement, in which Ireland is involved, to open up this discussion with the coroners to determine how we can target specific data in coroners' reports. Currently, the National Office for Suicide Prevention is working with coroners on reviewing previous cases to determine whether they could be learned from. Currently there is no plan to provide the identity. Thankfully, the conversation has happened, and the approach needs to be very sensitive.