Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

It is almost seven years since the publication of the report of the national task force on suicide. Many Senators, including Senators Glynn and Henry, have called for a debate on the issue of suicide. Will the Leader organise a debate on this issue to allow us to see how many of the report's 86 recommendations have been implemented? Since the report was published, in excess of 2,500 people have lost their lives through suicide. Ireland spends five times more in preventing road accidents and deaths than in preventing suicide, which is the largest killer of young males in rural and urban Ireland. With its unique perspective, this House would assist a rolling debate on suicide, to which several Ministers could attend.

After eight years since the Government came into office it was good to hear yesterday that the Minister for Transport finally realises there is a problem with the driving test regime. The Minister's idea is to introduce a raft of testers from the private sector to deal with the 15 month backlog of tests. However, 60 additional full-time driver-testing staff are needed. Every time the Minister for Transport seeks permission from the Minister for Finance to put these staff in place, he is denied. A debate on this issue is needed. In the summer months, it would also be sensible to extend driving test centre opening times to 10 p.m. and the weekends to help reduce the backlog.