Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

The issue of suicide has frightened many families and individuals across the country but it is an issue which has to be addressed. Like others in this House, I have had to attend the funerals of suicide victims and have witnessed first-hand the pain and numbness of family and friends who were bewildered about the reasons for the tragedy.

The increase in the rate of suicide over the past few years has shocked us all and has led to calls from every corner of the country for action to be taken. In the first half of the 1960s, an average of 64 people per year died through suicide. By 2004, that figure had increased sevenfold to an average of 455. That figure alone underlines the horrific problem we have. Suicide accounts for three out of every ten deaths in the 15 to 24-year-old age group and is the most common cause of deaths among young males. I compliment Deputy Neville on his tireless work in pursuing the policy agenda of suicide prevention. When the subject was not as popular some years ago, as a young Senator, Deputy Neville took up this cause. I am proud that he is a member of my party. He has brought the subject to the fore as president of the Irish Association of Suicidology. His work is acknowledged by everybody in the House. I compliment and salute him on his great work in this regard.

In recent years, the suicide rate among young males up to the age of 35 has starkly increased. Such a sharp increase forces us to ask what has gone wrong in our society. Are we failing to provide the vital support services that may have prevented needless loss of life? There has been talk of social fragmentation being partially responsible for the rise in suicide rates — the breakdown of family and community. Many factors including the prevalence of drugs and alcohol are involved. Another factor is the decline in religious beliefs which clearly forbid suicide. Depression is strongly linked to suicide and we must ask whether we have first class mental health services available for those who may be at risk from suicide or are suffering from depression. Despite our new-found wealth, we have failed to provide the necessary mental health services that would help to stem the tide of suicide.

Like others in this House, I have met many constituents who have come to me in tears over the conditions a son or daughter must endure in a mental health facility. It breaks their hearts to leave their child in an unwelcome intimidating and isolating environment, which is how they perceive mental health hospitals here. Facilities for people suffering from depression should be first class. Facing into a bleak hospital cannot help anyone to recover from depression and adds great strain to parents and loved ones who are likely to be at their wits' end with worry. I compliment the many people who work in those services. They have been frustrated for years over the lack of funding for those hospitals. The reality for those suffering from depression is that we live in a tough and fast-growing world. People are on the move and they find themselves under severe pressure. This makes their world very tough and in many cases brings on depression, which is a growing problem for many.

We have often heard about the dire problems in accident and emergency units and the dreadful circumstances in which many accident and emergency staff must carry out their work. However, it is not often mentioned that accident and emergency units admit 11,000 patients each year following suicidal behaviour. A significant number of those patients will eventually die by suicide. What referral services are available in accident and emergency units for patients who are admitted following attempted suicide? What support services exist for their families? These issues need to be addressed urgently in an overall attempt to iron out the many difficulties that make accident and emergency units so grim.

Measures must also be taken to address drug and alcohol abuse, particularly given the link between them and suicide. To date, the Government has failed to implement its own alcohol policy, the report of the strategic task force on alcohol. This is a miserable record to stand over. The 40% increase in alcohol consumption has taken place in tandem with a huge increase in suicide rates here. This development cannot be dismissed as a coincidence and needs to be explored in detail.

This week, the Garda seized a vast quantity of heroin in Dublin. The seizure was wonderful news. However, the question remains as to how such a vast quantity of illegal drugs made its way into the country. In every village, town and city drugs are freely available. Have we, as a Parliament, tackled the issue? Why are the drugs coming in and from where are such vast quantities coming? The dogs in the street can advise where drugs can be got. Have we tackled this huge problem that exists?

People are driving cars after taking drugs. This week, the Taoiseach told me that no test existed although he would gladly implement one if it were possible. Tests are available and while I appreciate the Taoiseach's concern on the matter, I hope a test will be introduced shortly for people driving cars after taking drugs. There is a link between this issue and the accidents involving young people. If nothing else comes about following all the bad road accidents that have occurred, it should be the introduction of a test for drugs.

A very good policy document was proposed by the Labour Party and Fine Gael some months ago and I ask the Government to study it. Those proposals represent a way to help the people affected by suicide.

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