Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to debate an issue of national importance, namely, suicide prevention. Since the economic collapse, there has been a considerable rise in suicide across Ireland, specifically in my area of Dublin North West, which has been very hard hit, with two young people taking their lives in the Finglas area in the past two weeks alone. There have been several other deaths of young people from suicide in my area in recent years. There is no doubt that the desperation of the recession is a major contributory factor. Something must be done to tackle this problem, in the provision of mental health services and health promotion education to create a better understanding of the issue among the general populace. More people are dying from suicide than from road accidents.

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