Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator Brian Hayes's request for an ongoing debate on the incidence of suicide. The most recent statistics show that 444 people died in 2003, most of them young. In addition, we are familiar with the tragic story of the young man from Cork who committed suicide in Zurich. This was the fourth assisted Irish suicide to date, at least as far as we know. Marian Finucane replayed an interview with the young man on her radio programme this morning. This is a harrowing situation, particularly for those who suffer from multiple sclerosis. This young man was at an advanced stage of MS and made the decision to travel to Zurich and die through assisted suicide or, as it is called, euthanasia.

It would be worthwhile to have a debate on this issue. I commend Young Fine Gael and the Fine Gael Party on highlighting it yesterday and consistently bringing it to the fore. The Government and all the State agencies are involved in dealing with this issue. A combined effort is required because no single party has a monopoly of wisdom. It is vital that there be an ongoing debate to ensure we hear all ideas because it is a serious problem. More people are dying by suicide than as a result of road accidents each year and more people have died by suicide in the recent years than died during the conflict in Northern Ireland. This is the main issue facing us at present. The change in the relationship between the Church and the individual has also changed people's perception of suicide.

I commend Rehab on inviting the former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, to Ireland on 23 May. Perhaps the Leader would consider inviting former President Clinton to the House to discuss the issues he will discuss in Citywest.