Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The blueprint in respect of A Vision for Change has been well written and put together for a long number of years. It needs to be implemented effectively. The Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, will outline their proposals that she, along with the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Reilly, have in this area when we make arrangements for that debate. I met a number of Traveller women last week and the incidence of suicide among young Traveller males is at an extraordinary level. When one meets them in their own place, one finds they are taking various educational courses and trying to understand the implications of the range of difficulties that arise from mental health problems.

Suicide, unfortunately, ranks highly in the wrong place. It is true to say that for young males it is a tragic phenomenon. As the Deputy is aware, in too many cases copycat cases arise, often in the same locality. A number of public representatives in our party have lost family members to suicide. While it was a tragedy, their public life exposes them to cases where other families have faced the same issue and there is strength arising from those tragedies. Deputy McGrath can take it that this is an area of priority interest for this Government and I expect the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, and the Minister for Health to ensure that happens. The Deputy's questions are welcome in highlighting what is all too often a tragedy that should never have to visit a household.

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