Michael Smith (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

I dtosach báire, tá mé buíoch as ucht am a fháil chun cuidiú leis na moltaí atá os comhair na Dála i dtaobh an ábhair thábhachtaigh agus uafásaigh seo — iad siúd atá sásta deireadh a chur lena gcuid saolta. I thank the Acting Chairman for giving me an opportunity to contribute briefly to this debate on the many proposals which have been made to deal with suicide, which is a significant problem in this country. Many families have suffered the loss of one of their own in this tragic and terrible way. I have often said — I could be very wrong — that there is really only one illness. I refer to an illness that cannot be seen or x-rayed and for which there is no explanation. The parents, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters who are left behind following a suicide receive lifelong prison sentences of guilt, anger and great anxiety. That suicide is the biggest killer of young people in Ireland — it takes more lives than accidents and cancer — is obviously something that needs to be addressed in a fundamental manner.

The Central Statistics Office has recorded that of the 457 suicides in Ireland in 2004, 189 were of people under the age of 35. That represents a decrease of 11% on the figure for 2003. However, 268 people over the age of 35 committed suicide, which represents an increase of 16% on the 2003 figure. A staggering 78% of those who died by suicide in that year were male and 22% of them were female. New research has shown that over 300,000 people in Ireland suffer from depression. One in four men and one in two women will suffer from depression at some stage of their lives. Other speakers have highlighted the number of people who are treated for deliberate self-harm at accident and emergency units.

I disagree with Deputy Gormley and others who have tried in some way to associate the development of the economy with the problems under discussion. The only way we can solve some of these problems is to dedicate resources to the personnel who are required to fill positions in counselling and psychiatric and general care. In a growing economy, such resources can be made available to meet the agreed priorities which need to be addressed in a dedicated and deliberate way. It is too easy to argue that these problems are created by the fact that people have jobs and are wealthier than at any time in our history. We are all familiar with the challenges which are associated with a developing economy. We have to cope, as best we can, with realities like the speed at which we have to travel and the competition in the world as a whole.

I represent the constituency of Tipperary North which, unfortunately, had the highest rate of suicide in Ireland in 2004. When I was sitting at a table in my local area with six people a few months ago, I learned that four of them had some family experience in this regard. That number has since increased to five, which is a staggering statistic that gives us a real sense of what this problem means to many families in a small area. Such clusters of suicides seem to occur in some areas following what might be called the first tragic event.

I am glad the joint committee's report emphasises the need for consultation with young people. It suggests that we should ask them about mental health services and service development. Deputy Keaveney rightly pointed out that in some way or other, we are not communicating with each other as we should, and as we used to do in the past. We are certainly more greedy, selfish and individualistic and do not consider what we can do on this issue through helping, discussing, listening and getting involved. If one was given a second chance to do something that could have stopped a suicide one would, of course, take it. Unfortunately we think of these things only afterwards.

The anti-stigma and positive mental health promotion campaign in the media and elsewhere is another important matter that must be dealt with. The secrecy has been removed, the walls have come down and many major institutions are no longer the places they used to be. Community development and support services have come closer to people's homes. The Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, will understand that we in north Tipperary could use more help in this regard. We have nothing against our colleagues in south Tipperary but we must travel south for many services and more local support is something we wish to see as early as possible.

Much has been said about alcohol and mental illness but I wish to talk about helping people to cope. Alienation from society can happen early in the lives of some people and adult education and support from the Department of Health and Children can help broaden the circle of thinking how education and health integrate in such matters. Some people with hidden talents feel alone and miss out on the dignity associated with doing a suitable job to the best of one's ability. I have had the opportunity to present certificates relating to different courses to individuals who never thought they could achieve what they did. They have taken a step on the ladder and need to move on to the next, which requires encouragement. In this context, the community services the Minister of State and others are trying to develop to integrate these matters are significant.

It is hard to believe someone would commit this act if they felt they were wanted, had a purposeful life, and were able to achieve, join a drama society, join Macra na Feirme, Foróige and the various available activities. It is hard to believe that kind of involvement could lead to such an action. There are other cases involving alcohol and mental illness where different forces are at work, but this particular category needs inclusion. I ask the Minister of State to consider this in the context of deliberations with his colleagues and ensure the full circle is looked at. If we complete the circle we can begin to reach some of the targets all of us want to achieve.

See this speech in context