Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Ryan stated that the waste debacle is our own fault. I agree with him and the EU has fully exposed the problem. The Senator also raised the issue of suicide. There was a brief discussion on the matter in the House yesterday, on the Order of Business. I agree that a multi-disciplinary approach to the problem must be adopted. A Scottish suicide prevention programme has resulted in the reduction of the suicide rate in that country. A major suicide prevention initiative will be launched by the former President of the United States, Mr. Clinton, in Dublin next month. I do not know the full details but I have received notification of the launch in the middle of May. I too would welcome a full debate on the issue.

Senator Ryan also asked for a debate on the Gaeltacht. He stated that Údarás na Gaeltachta has become known as "Údarás na Galltachta", but the Government did not force people to take part in the elections. Certain individuals registered their names as candidates and then the people in the Gaeltacht areas voted for their preferred candidate. There is no other way of obtaining a position on the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta, except perhaps as a ministerial nominee. The voting process is transparent.