Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thought it was particularly appropriate today on remembrance day that we mark the opening of the Seanad business, as we do every day at the commencement of business, with a minute of silence. I am aware that there has been some debate about this in the other House, as there is only a prayer there and no formal acknowledgement of the presence in the Chamber of persons of faiths other than the Christian faith or, indeed, of persons who are atheist or agnostic.

I am really glad therefore that we have our minute of silence. For those in the Visitors' Gallery who may not have been aware of it, that is how we open our business, and it is fitting.

I want to pay tribute to the late broadcaster Brian Farrell, whom I knew a little and whom many Members of this House would have known very well. We note his passing and convey our sympathy to his bereaved family.

I wish to thank the Leader for facilitating today's debate on mental health and suicide, which are hugely important issues. It is an appropriate date for such a debate as we remember the hundreds of people who lose their lives through suicide each year. Many contributors to the debate will focus on suicide prevention, but in my contribution later I will also speak about dementia. Perhaps we could have a debate in future specifically about the development of the national dementia strategy. The Alzheimer's Society has been particularly active on that issue.

I am also seeking a debate on policing in light of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate's report which is to be released today. We already know that it contains quite a number of recommendations aimed at addressing inconsistencies in the recording of reported crimes. There is a real problem whereby we see inconsistencies in the recording of crimes that are reported to the Garda Síochána, which make our crime statistics much less reliable. Given that we have had serious changes in the way in which we record crime in recent years, it makes it difficult to draw meaningful comparisons from one year to the next. In addition, the report will raise serious issues concerning policing methods and tactics. It would therefore be useful to have a debate on these matters. I know that the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality will consider the report, but this House should also debate it.

As it is Remembrance Day today, I am happy that on Thursday this week we will be having statements on commemorations. To that end, we will be hearing from the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Heather Humphreys, on the strategy for commemoration planning.