Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

The Irish Times today mentions the latest annual report of the national parasuicide registry, which states that in 2002, 8,500 people, including children as young as five years, attended accident and emergency departments with injuries suffered during attempted suicide or self-harm. The report highlights the ways in which these cases were dealt with, which varied according to health board area. I would like a debate in the House on that report, when it becomes available, to consider what may be done at Government level to ensure the resources exist to help the Departments deal with these cases as best they can.

Senator Norris will probably raise this, but in light of the fact that three of our colleagues in the Houses have recently returned from the Occupied Territories and have seen the conditions in which Palestinians are living, we should have a debate on the matter in the House. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, who was recently in talks with the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Sharon, should attend so that we may debate the role of Ireland in trying to bring both sides to the table, particularly during the European Presidency.