Suicide prevention and Northern debate
Gerry Adams seeks a Government-time debate on Northern Ireland and asks about the Reach Out suicide-prevention framework and expert-panel reports. The Taoiseach says he cannot give a timetable for the panel but outlines the Government’s ongoing consideration of the issues.
I neglected to ask the Taoiseach about arranging for a debate on the North in Government time as soon as possible.
I wish to ask about the Government's commitment to the national framework for suicide prevention plan for 2015 to 2018. I understand the closing date for submissions is 6 June. The Taoiseach will be aware that each year 500 people die through suicide in this State and 300 die by suicide in the North. Countless other people self-harm. This is a crisis on a huge scale. I refer to the participation by many people in the Darkness into Light suicide awareness and fund-raising event recently. When does the Taoiseach expect the report to be published? Will he consider examining the possibility of putting in place an all-Ireland, all-island suicide prevention strategy?
Last week, the Government published the terms of reference of the expert panel to review projects by EirGrid, Grid Link and Grid West. It may also consider the North-South interconnector. There has been popular opposition because people are quite rightly worried about the pylons and their effects on the environment, health, farming and the local economy and our historic landscape. Will the Taoiseach direct EirGrid to refrain from submitting planning application until the expert panel has concluded its work?
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When does the Taoiseach expect the reports from the expert panel to be concluded and published?
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On the latter question, I am bound by the Ceann Comhairle's direction. I cannot answer for Mrs. Justice McGuinness's group. It has published its terms of reference and it is now analysing the situation in respect of EirGrid, the western and southern routes and also the question of the interconnector for the North. The Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, has made it perfectly clear that we need to deal with this question of Northern Ireland because the energy situation warrants it. I cannot speak for Mrs. Justice McGuinness as to when she will respond.
The framework for suicide is called Reach Out and it will end its ten-year term this year. The Department of Health and the HSE, with the direct involvement of the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, have begun the process of developing that new framework strategy for suicide prevention for the period 2015 to 1018, to build on the work contained in that Reach Out programme. The aim of the framework will be to support population health approaches and interventions that will assist in reducing the loss of life through suicide while aiming for better co-ordination and the integration of services. This is being led by the Department of Health but it is being managed by the National Office for Suicide Prevention. The Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, recently approved the establishment of a planning oversight group and five advisory groups, covering research, policy, practice, engagement and communications and media, to drive the process. It is expected that the framework will be in place by the end of this year. Perhaps the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, is already dealing with her Northern Ireland counterpart and I would have no objection to having co-operation on an all-island strategy. There should not be any difference in these matters. I will ask the Minister of State to update the Deputy in due course.