Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I suppose they are not.

The idea that someone who aims to be a national parliamentarian would express those views in such a determined and open manner was chilling. Senator Ormonde expressed the same opinion about the programme.

Senator Cummins spoke about the mental health survey on suicide, which is a serious matter, although we have enough of surveys for the moment. The Senator noted that one third of people do not partake in social activities. I thought that a despairing statistic because it means people are isolated within their communities. He also called for a debate on the report of the Mental Health Commission. Senator Glynn noted that young males are seven times more likely to commit suicide than young women in the same age bracket and that almost every family has been touched by suicide.

Senator Norris described as farce the Committee Stage of the Bill. If he is not going to contribute, that is his own business and we will be neither the richer nor the poorer for it. There are not many people on the opposite side of the House because we have just come from a very sad event in Celbridge, to which the Cathaoirleach lent his office and prestige. Even though it was a sad event, the music and hymns were bursting with cheerfulness, hope and optimism. However, it would have left many people in a sober frame of mind and perhaps that is the reason for the low attendance. We will miss Senator Norris and his ebullience this afternoon but I am sure many others will contribute to the debate.