Joe O'Toole (Independent)

It is a little like ATMs, yes. One lines up and does one's business.

The issue of suicide, the reasons for it and the way we should address the problem have been discussed in the House on many occasions but it is a subject on which we have very little in terms of facts. I would like to have a further discussion on the problem, particularly the connection between suicide and alcohol consumption. I came across some figures during the week which will be of major help in coming to some understanding of the problem of suicide. More than 80% of suicide victims had consumed alcohol a short time previous to their suicide. More important, and this is a frightening figure which nobody can ignore, is that suicides have increased by 43% over the past 12 to 15 years during which time the consumption of alcohol increased by 42% to 43%. That is a clear connection about which we should be concerned. Recognising that alcohol has both a depressive and a uninhibiting impact on personalities, creating impulsive behaviour, this is an issue of which I was not aware the last time we discussed the consumption of alcohol. Colleagues on both sides of the House have often asked whether there is any explanation for the increase in suicides. This is a clear connection which should be recorded in a debate here. I am grateful to the Irish National Alliance for Action on Alcohol, which made those figures available during the course of the week. We could have a discussion on this matter and get a view from the Government.