Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Taoiseach for his response on this important issue. I take his point about Deputy Dan Neville and the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, on their sincerity in getting involved in this issue. Is the Taoiseach aware that the current youth suicide rates in Ireland are the fifth highest in the European Union? The highest rate of suicide is found among young men between the ages of 20 and 29 years. Almost five times more men than women have died from suicide and suicide is the principal cause of death for men aged 15 to 35 years. It is a major national crisis. It is a huge problem for this country. Does the Taoiseach know that males are less likely than females to have attended mental health services? What will he do to resolve this crisis?

Given the current economic climate with mass unemployment, which is an important risk factor for suicide, does the Taoiseach know that almost a third of the men who committed suicide were unemployed and two-thirds of them had been unemployed for more than a year? The figures speak for themselves. I ask the Taoiseach to act on this matter in the next couple of months. There are examples of good practice in Scotland and New Zealand in regard to reducing the stigma around mental health. I ask the Taoiseach, the Minister of State and those with a serious interest in this issue to examine the sensible solutions to the major problem facing these people.

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