Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the approach of a submission to be received by the Minister, which would be some response to the family's request as articulated last evening on the programme. The family made very many valid points on the programme. Their central point was that it is far too easy in cases of familicide to throw a blanket over the cases and say, "It is depressive psychosis", and that is the end of it. That leaves the family asking a lot of questions and feeling that the issue has not been dealt with in the comprehensive, multidisciplinary way that it should be. I ask that this be given consideration.

The family raised the issue of the Coroners Act and the Succession Act during the programme and I welcome the fact amendments to those Acts will be assessed in the context of familicide.

The National Office for Suicide Prevention has been carrying out a literature review in respect of familicide with organisations from other European states. It is time to commission research on familicide in Ireland over the past two to three decades. The Taoiseach might ask the Departments of Justice and Equality and Health to commission such research. It could provide insights and valuable lessons for future policy to guide State agencies.

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