The programme for Government commits to early intervention for people with mental illness problems and to the detection and treatment of people at risk of suicide. According to figures published by Pieta House yesterday, ten people take their own lives every week in the State.

It calls for suicide to be given the same attention as road deaths. Will the Government now resource and prioritise this issue as it has committed to do in the programme for Government?

Suicide is one of the most challenging and real social problems we face and suicide prevention and mental health are priorities for the Government since coming to office. Not only have we provided and protected the funding allocated to the mental health sector, we have provided an additional €90 million to date and an additional 1,150 posts in both adult and child mental health services over the past few years. I am minded of the views of the Deputy. It is an issue for which we must have careful regard and even when other areas are under pressure, it is an area that we are determined to protect.

There is chaos out there in the accident and emergency departments.

Will Deputy Ellis settle down?

People are getting turned away in the mental health.

That is not true.

Settle down, please.

That is a ridiculous answer.

Will Deputy Ellis settle down?

There is chaos in mental health.

That is not true.

Would Deputy Ellis mind? One does not shout across the floor.

They are being turned away.

I call Deputy Ó Fearghaíl.

That is not true.

It is true. I was in the hospital myself. It is true.

It is not true.

Will Deputy Ellis resume his seat and not behave like that in the Chamber?