Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of analysis of death by suicide figures, which indicate an alarmingly high rate of suicide in Kerry, Cork city and Offaly, at 50% above the national average. I also commend our colleague in the House, Senator John Gilroy, who has been travelling around the country, meeting interested parties and collating information on suicide. He is a rapporteur on suicide for the Oireachtas health committee and doing some great work.

It is a pity it has taken so long to fill the post of director of the National Office for Suicide Prevention following the resignation of Mr. Geoff Day. I call for the formation of a task force to probe the issue and determine why rates of suicide are so high in these areas. I know the answers are difficult to find and neither I nor other Members in the House have them. We should at least try to do something to determine those answers.