Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)

I thank the Independent Deputies and the Technical Group for putting forward this motion. I particularly thank Deputy Connolly for his work on it. I also acknowledge the work Deputy Neville has done on this issue over many years and I welcome his attendance at this debate.

Much of the discussion this evening relates to statistics. However, in the case of suicide, when a person becomes a statistic it is too late. No amount of talk will bring a person back. For that reason, I wish to highlight the importance of identifying the warning signs and symptoms. In many cases, these signs and symptoms are clear in hindsight but that is of no use when the person's life is gone. How often have we heard relatives of suicide victims say that before the death occurred they did not notice anything unusual in the person's behaviour? On reflection, however, after the tragic event, they see there were events, utterances or actions which were signs and symptoms but they did not recognise them as such at the time. That is the tragedy.

In many cases, the signs and symptoms are visible but the caring, loving parents, partners and relatives, through no fault of theirs, just do not recognise them. The fact that close associates miss the warning signs illustrates the great and immediate need to focus on those signs and symptoms, to conduct research and to prepare programmes, both visual and audio, for presentation to people in peer groups spanning all ages at various suitable locations in a co-ordinated manner. Such programmes would be informative, educational and stimulate discussion not only among people who have been affected by suicide but those who have not been affected by it. They might have more to gain from such programmes.

To provide programmes for health professionals and people working in this area on signs and symptoms is only one approach. Equally important is the need to make this information available to parents, guardians and the general public. Many of the people who commit suicide did not present before health professionals.

I have concentrated on the absence of visible or recognisable signs and symptoms, which is hard to deal with. Sometimes those signs are visible but parents and relatives are reluctant to broach the subject with the person concerned in case it would make him or her more likely to commit suicide. We need to send the message out loud and clear this evening that to talk to people at risk of suicide can help, not harm. Studies show that it appears to ease distress and it might make some people less likely to act on suicidal thoughts.

Suicide accounts for 50% more deaths annually than road accidents. Last year there were 444 suicides compared to 293 road deaths. The lack of action by Government in regard to suicide is inexcusable. I urge that the recommendations of the 1998 report of the national task force on suicide be implemented immediately.

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