Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to discuss an issue of national importance and concern, namely, that figures published yesterday show suicides for 2009 increased by 24% over the previous year. The figures show an increase from 424 in 2008 to 527 deaths by suicide last year. The real figure is much higher; alarmingly, there were 195 deaths classified as "undetermined", with international research showing that a considerable number of these were suicide. The Minister for Health and Children must recognise that the psychological impact of economic recession on public health is very severe and should immediately allocate resources to respond to the crisis. I suggest that the issue is in the national public interest and is important.

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