Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I support my colleague, Senator Higgins, in her call in respect of the immunisation of young children at University College Hospital, Galway. It is a serious issue and it must be taken up by the Minister.

I ask the Leader to organise at the earliest possible stage a debate on the high levels of suicide. I do that against a background of something I saw this morning where another young person was pulled out of a river, and there was evidence that there was a wheelchair on the bank of the river. The issue of suicide is such a serious matter we need a debate in this House, as well as debating the treatment of patients with mental health problems.

I raise that because concern was expressed by our colleague in the other House, Deputy Dan Neville, who is president of the Irish Suicidology Association, that psychiatrists often exclude families when they are treating patients with mental illness. Patient confidentiality is frequently quoted as the reason but professionals must recognise that family involvement is key to the recovery process.