Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

Like Senator Quinn, I wish to raise the issue of the House's role. One of my proposals was on EU legislation. Yesterday, I highlighted the fact that the Commission has published its programme for 2012 and that there are 129 proposals for debate on its schedule. There is no reason that the Seanad cannot debate some of these issues and influence the decisions being made at European level. I reiterate my suggestion that two days per month be set aside to discuss EU matters. In this way we can be part of the European debate instead of merely discussing issues post-implementation.

I raised a matter at yesterday's meeting of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs. I have also raised it with the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs. She is anxious that the issues relevant to Ireland and under discussion at Europe level also be debated in the Houses. It would be a useful way to put information into the public domain.

Senator White discussed suicide. There is no comparison in how we have invested funding in and addressed the issue of road traffic accidents in the past ten years and the funding we have invested in suicide prevention services. The House needs to debate how to proceed. Councillor John McTernan in County Leitrim has voluntarily set up a structure for early intervention. It is benefitting people in the area. Structured developments of this type are necessary. I call for a debate so that we might discuss the positive actions that we can and should take.