Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

At the plenary session of last week's Council of Europe, an important report on adolescent suicide in Europe was presented. This report highlighted that in Ireland, as in many other European countries, many more people die by suicide than in road accidents. We have had many debates in this House on road safety but there has been insufficient debate on suicide. I put forward an amendment calling for mechanisms to be put in place to equip and encourage teenagers to communicate with a supportive person when they feel under pressure or fearful or perceive themselves to have failed in some way. This amendment was passed unanimously.

Discussion on this issue can be based on the recent report from the Council of Europe or on the extensive work done in this State. I ask the Leader to communicate with the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Devins, who has responsibility for mental health, to ensure this issue is brought to the fore. We must discuss how we will enable students to be equipped and encouraged to communicate their fears, whether perceived or real. Either the Department of Education and Science or the Department of Health and Children must take the lead role in this endeavour.

As usual, last week's plenary session was attended by representatives of the 47 member states. I was surprised by the number of people who made a point of approaching the Irish delegation to wish us success in the campaign on the Lisbon treaty. This included the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and the Ukrainian Prime Minister. Warm wishes were conveyed that we should achieve a positive result.

A strong report that was published last week showed that half of students have experienced some degree of bullying in school. I have raised on a number of occasions the need for a debate on bullying in the workplace. Perhaps both matters can be discussed in the context of a single debate on bullying which is something that can lead to suicide. Perhaps the issues I have mentioned could be tied together as part of a debate that is pertinent at this point.