Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I neglected to ask the Taoiseach about arranging for a debate on the North in Government time as soon as possible.

I wish to ask about the Government's commitment to the national framework for suicide prevention plan for 2015 to 2018. I understand the closing date for submissions is 6 June. The Taoiseach will be aware that each year 500 people die through suicide in this State and 300 die by suicide in the North. Countless other people self-harm. This is a crisis on a huge scale. I refer to the participation by many people in the Darkness into Light suicide awareness and fund-raising event recently. When does the Taoiseach expect the report to be published? Will he consider examining the possibility of putting in place an all-Ireland, all-island suicide prevention strategy?

Last week, the Government published the terms of reference of the expert panel to review projects by EirGrid, Grid Link and Grid West. It may also consider the North-South interconnector. There has been popular opposition because people are quite rightly worried about the pylons and their effects on the environment, health, farming and the local economy and our historic landscape. Will the Taoiseach direct EirGrid to refrain from submitting planning application until the expert panel has concluded its work?

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