Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like others, I had an opportunity to attend this morning's presentation by the Samaritans. The work it does is often undervalued and not given the recognition it is due. It is not just about what is done by people who are in management positions but also about the work of the tremendous volunteers, often throughout the night, to assist people who have a crisis. There is no doubt the work they do is responsible for saving lives. They deal with people and take calls at night when people reach a crisis point. Through the work everyone in both Houses does, we know the kinds of crises that arrive in people's lives. Not everyone comes to politicians but everybody has access to the Samaritans.

It would be very useful if the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Butler, would come to the House to have an open dialogue to try to spread the word among people. As my generation was growing up, we were very familiar with the word "Samaritans". I suspect that a younger generation, which does not follow media in the same mainstream way we did, may not be as familiar with it. It is incumbent on us to talk about the matter, talk about the crises people face in their lives, and recognise the tremendous work of the Samaritans.

I pay particular tribute to Ms Margaret McMahon who led the delegation from County Clare today and is involved in organising volunteers, training them and reaching out to vulnerable communities in the county, particularly in Ennis, and more widely throughout west, east and south-east Clare. A huge debt of gratitude is owed to that woman for the work she does. From listening to her and the experience she has, it is clear there is an ongoing role for the Samaritans in our lives, notwithstanding the changes in technology. The capacity of volunteers to sit waiting for a call from somebody who is in a desperate state is a very valuable service. It is sad that it is dependent to a large extent on voluntary effort and charitable funding, but it is what it is and it is working. I would welcome a debate on this matter at the earliest opportunity.