Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I strongly support everything that has been said this morning about the problem of suicide. I support the call made by my colleague, Senator Conway, for the establishment of a Cabinet sub-committee on this issue. The House should lead a national conversation on the whole issue of suicide. Our public consultation process would be a good vehicle for initiating such a conversation. We all know of the devastation caused by suicide in families and communities. In recent months, we have all seen in our electoral areas the havoc that is being wreaked on families by the curse of suicide.

There are so many support groups mushrooming throughout the country that I wonder whether we need to adopt a more co-ordinated approach. Having this public consultation session in Seanad Éireann would present an opportunity to invite some of these groups and support agencies in order that we can help the Government in compiling an action plan to deal with this epidemic. It has rightly been said more than twice as many lives are lost through suicide than on the roads. Although one life lost on the roads is one too many, we have made significant progress in that regard. There does not seem to be the same urgency, however, in dealing with the issue of suicide, despite the fact the Government is putting significant moneys into mental health services. I, therefore, appeal to the Leader to organise in the near future a public consultation session to look at the issue of suicide and mental health problems.