Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity of making a brief contribution on the report of the Joint Committee on Health and Children into the high level of suicide in Irish society. I am sensitive to the fact I am following the contribution of my colleague, Deputy Neville, whose work in this area is impressive. He has done tremendous work in this regard and I was proud to have been a member of the Sub-Committee on the High Level of Suicide in Irish Society, under the chairmanship of Deputy Moloney, which included Deputy Neville and Senator Browne.

Every day, politicians deal with all sorts of issues from broken footpaths to broken drains. We also deal with delicate issues such as suicide. In the four years during which I have been a Member of the Oireachtas, I have never been so affected by our business as when I was sitting on that sub-committee listening to the presentations. We have tried to understand the issues involved, although I am not sure if one could ever fully understand them. We all have personal stories to tell concerning friends and families who have been deeply affected by suicide. The House should take its time in debating such important matters. Suicide is prevalent in society but it does not seem to receive headline attention. There is a responsibility on all of us to send a positive message.

I welcome the interest shown by the Minister of State on this issue. In two weeks he and I will attend a function in the city centre at which the Tallaght Travellers Youth Service, under the banner of CYC, will launch an important report on suicide among the Traveller community. I look forward to joining my friends and colleagues from Tallaght on that occasion.

Tallaght is the third largest population centre in the country and, naturally, faces similar challenges to those experienced elsewhere. I have been keen to praise the various initiatives which have taken place in my constituency. With my colleague, Deputy Crowe, I had the amazing experience of attending a conference organised in west Tallaght by the men's group of An Cosán which gave an opportunity to people who had been deeply affected by the issue to participate in discussions about suicide in a quiet atmosphere and among neighbours and friends. Kathleen O'Connor, a chaplain in Tallaght hospital, has taken a number of initiatives in that regard.

Other contributors to today's debate, including Deputy Moloney, raised the issue of people who were challenged by suicide being treated as normal patients in accident and emergency departments.

Since becoming involved with the Sub-Committee on High Levels of Suicide in Irish Society, I have received correspondence from a number of interested parties explaining how they cope with the issue. It is strange that suicide is not treated as a headline story but I will continue to do what I can to help those who are affected by the issue. Through church services and other initiatives, I am constantly reminded of the effects of suicide. Recently, I raised with the Minister of State a number of issues which had been brought to my attention. Arising from the report of the sub-committee, I asked him how his Department intended to monitor its target to reduce suicide rates by 20% over the next ten years, the actions being taken on the report's recommendations on the immediate implementation of certain steps and the arrangements being made to ensure the Departments of Health and Children, Education and Science and Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the OPW co-operate in reducing the current high levels of suicide. I also pointed out the need for a health promotion programme among young people in particular. Experts on suicide, such as Deputy Neville, have highlighted this aspect of the problem and I have often encountered stories of young people who decided to end their lives.

According to the available evidence, once a person makes a decision to commit suicide, he or she makes arrangements, such as locking doors or composing a note, which clearly indicate careful planning.

Suicide among young people generates much attention but elderly people also commit suicide. Last year, the wife of one of my friends went through considerable trouble to achieve what she set out to do by using a number of different methods. That is an issue I find difficult to comprehend.

I am glad the Minister of State has indicated that the Government is fully committed to the initiatives on suicide prevention and the development of mental health services to prevent further tragic losses of life. I hope that principle will guide us on the matter and that the recommendations of the sub-committee will be implemented.

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