Dáil debates
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
Order of Business
6:00 pm
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source
On the latter question, I am bound by the Ceann Comhairle's direction. I cannot answer for Mrs. Justice McGuinness's group. It has published its terms of reference and it is now analysing the situation in respect of EirGrid, the western and southern routes and also the question of the interconnector for the North. The Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, has made it perfectly clear that we need to deal with this question of Northern Ireland because the energy situation warrants it. I cannot speak for Mrs. Justice McGuinness as to when she will respond.
The framework for suicide is called Reach Out and it will end its ten-year term this year. The Department of Health and the HSE, with the direct involvement of the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, have begun the process of developing that new framework strategy for suicide prevention for the period 2015 to 1018, to build on the work contained in that Reach Out programme. The aim of the framework will be to support population health approaches and interventions that will assist in reducing the loss of life through suicide while aiming for better co-ordination and the integration of services. This is being led by the Department of Health but it is being managed by the National Office for Suicide Prevention. The Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, recently approved the establishment of a planning oversight group and five advisory groups, covering research, policy, practice, engagement and communications and media, to drive the process. It is expected that the framework will be in place by the end of this year. Perhaps the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, is already dealing with her Northern Ireland counterpart and I would have no objection to having co-operation on an all-island strategy. There should not be any difference in these matters. I will ask the Minister of State to update the Deputy in due course.
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