Mary White (Fianna Fail)

In 2006, there were 366 road deaths and 409 suicides. There is anecdotal evidence that an increasing number of older men commit suicide, in respect of which we will all know the CSO statistics next April. Will the Minister of State address the House on how to create a more caring and inclusive society for people who live in rural areas or are isolated and on how to reach out and take care of one another?

Senator Quinn raised the matter of organ donors. One of his staff — Margaret in the Superquinn bakery — inspired me to become a donor. I will donate all of my organs because of Margaret, whose son, a young man of 23 years, waited for a heart transplant for 18 months. I had not considered donating previously. The Senator may not remember Margaret well, but her son died from a brain haemorrhage after his transplant. Why should we not all donate our organs?