Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I share the concern expressed about the tragic murders of the two young Polish men and the escalation in the incidence of youth suicide. I raised this issue previously and complimented a number of Members of this and the other House, in particular, Deputy Neville, who has done great work in the area of suicide prevention. We need to examine the progress we can make to work with the people who have pioneered the issue of suicide prevention in recent years because the escalation in the incidence of suicide is frightening. I ask the Leader to accommodate a debate on the issue.

Concern was expressed about the level of expertise and training of personnel in the ambulance service. I would not like the message to go from this House that there are unqualified personnel in the service. I record my appreciation of the level of expertise and training undergone by ambulance personnel and those in the emergency services.

For those who have not visited them, I recommend a visit to the emergency services training centres on the Malahide Road in my constituency of Dublin North Central and in St. Mary's Hospital in the Phoenix Park. All the emergency services, both State and private agencies, the first response personnel and all the other specialties undergo a regime of regular training. It is important to acknowledge the commitment, dedication and enthusiasm of the people involved in the emergency services. They provide a service in very difficult circumstances on occasions.

I have raised the issue of homelessness and since I raised it there seems to be a heightened awareness and a focus on the issue. Today I note a question mark over the Health Service Executive decision to impose a freeze on funding for services to the homeless.