Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

First of all, I want to reference Danny Hanley and the Movember Ireland team that are here today. They represent many of the issues that we talk about. For too long in this State, men's health, and I suppose health in general, has not always been the topic that it should have been and it has been underdiscussed. I welcome the fact that I am able to speak on it today. I think it is the first time in the history of the Dáil that there has been an opportunity for statements such as this. The recently published Movember report outlined that premature death was 40% higher among males compared with females.

It also pointed out that the stigma around seeking help was seen as the biggest barrier to men accessing support for their mental and physical health. We as a Government, and Members on all sides of the House, have a duty to ensure that we do our best and improve these statistics.

My uncle was a TD before me and a spokesperson for Fine Gael on mental health. Mental health is something that wen need to be conscious of as part of this. Indeed, he introduced the Bill to decriminalise suicide and was at the forefront of leading the mental health discussion in modern Ireland. I think of him today in that regard.

I want to speak about a number of different topics, such as the importance of our community and of the role sport can play in our community. Even last night, our under-14s team in Leixlip, which I am a coach for, won a county championship. It was a great win but it showed the importance of community. Not only were there 13- and 14-year-old boys engaging as a team, but it also brought the community and coaches together and provided an outlet. They have the ability to go that way but not everybody is involved in sport and that is something we would be conscious of. I have become more and more conscious as time has gone on of the elderly. A previous speaker spoke about loneliness. If anything, loneliness became an even bigger issue during Covid. That is something we should constantly be conscious of. Things like Meals on Wheels can make a massive impact on someone's day and that is something we are all very aware of.

The other day, I spoke to someone in Leixlip. Ms Bracey Daniels talking about walking football, what they are able to do with walking football and how that had transformed the social side for many elderly people. I also see a bowls club developing in Leixlip GAA club. These are the sorts of interaction from a community side that we can really get behind to change individuals' lives.

With men's health, we are always thinking about what we can do better. What we need to do is continue to raise awareness among the young, but also among the elderly, about raising these issues with their doctors. Men from all sides are often the last ones to say they need help and to go to a doctor. Today provides us with the opportunity to raise awareness.

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for giving me this time. I thank the Minister of State for giving us the opportunity to speak on this.

See this speech in context