I see that our plan to phase ourselves out is almost complete.

I would like to be associated with the tributes to Donal Walsh, a most inspirational young man. I do not want to pour negativity on the positive messages people are giving but, yet again, we in this House are the champions of rhetoric on suicide. Somebody who was dying spoke up and used their impending demise to promote an issue and we stand up, one after another, to say we should put in more resources and talk more about the issue - good old Donal; was it not fantastic the way he did something and we did not. Actions speak louder than words. I have in my hand a policy that was welcomed by everybody. It is comprehensive. It will cost €100 million a year and will reduce suicide by 30% yet we have not even debated it in this House. We could have any amount of the time available this week to debate it.

Actions speak louder than words except when it comes to suicide or unless there is a suicide or some child dies promoting suicide prevention. When are we going to start doing something about it? As Senator Eamonn Coghlan rightly said, let not this man's death have been in vain, let it have meant something, finally. Actions speak louder than words. Let us debate it this week.

On an important issue regarding the procedures of the House, there are quotations in an article in today's Irish Examiner from correspondence of Members of the Houses with the Standards in Public Office Commission. I ask the Leader to contact the head of the Commission to request the identity of the person who provides briefings to members of the media in place of copy to provide colour articles to make fun of Members of the Oireachtas who go on foreign trips to research and inform themselves of very important issues to the people of the State, such as abortion. Irrespective of whether the trip to the United States of America, on which Members of both Houses went, ought to have been paid for directly by them or was correctly paid for by their hosts, the highest watchdog of the integrity of the Houses of the Oireachtas should not be engaged in gutter-sniping in the press in the interests of feeding copy to lazy journalists. I ask most respectfully that in the interests of the integrity of the House and the professionalism of the Standards in Public Office Commission, we have an answer to the question by tomorrow. It is unacceptable that an article in today's Irish Examiner authoritatively quotes the private correspondence Members from all sides sent to the Commission for its consideration.

It is appropriate that someone should raise this matter in the House. Perhaps it is most appropriate that it should be me as I have never been on a foreign trip in 11 years in the House. I am the first to acknowledge, however, the importance of such trips in informing the business of both Houses.

It is only fitting that we all acknowledge the sad passing of Donal Walsh and convey our deep sympathy to his family. As a mother of teenagers, I was particularly struck by the extent to which he was a role model at 16 years of age as well as by the unique message he conveyed. I ask the Leader to schedule yet another debate on suicide and reflect on how best to mark Donal's young life and to continue his positive message. He touched young people in a way that few others have managed.

I support the call for a debate as soon as possible on the report by Professor Higgins on hospital reorganisation. While it looks positive, it is worth teasing out given the broad-ranging ramifications it will have.

I welcome HIQA's stated intention today to inspect and register residential centres for children and adults with disabilities. There are 900 people with disabilities living in 1,200 residential centres nationally. They can be our forgotten people. They can be voiceless unless we advocate for them and ensure their services are of the high standard of other people's services. This is what HIQA is achieving. We complain about a great deal in the House, but HIQA is doing fine work. It has done great work in older people's centres and is now moving on to residential centres for people with disabilities. I welcome that and would like to see others do the same.

Senator Moran is next.

Sorry-----

The next speaker is Independent. This list is on the Order of Business.

Senator Moran is a Labour Senator.

She has not spoken. I will conduct the business, with respect.

The Leas-Chathaoirleach is doing a very good job, but the procedure is that the order of speakers alternates from one side to the other.

The procedure as laid out for the last two years is exactly as I am following it. Senator Leyden is delaying matters. Senator Moran, please.

Thank you very much. It is not the one I follow when I am in the Chair.

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and can assure Senator Terry Leyden that it is worth waiting for.

I extend my sincere condolences to the family of Donal Walsh. He made a lasting impression and was an inspiration for young and old. I have no doubt that his memory will live on as a powerful advocate on suicide. I, too, would welcome another debate on the issue. It is a discussion that needs to be held continually. Last night in my home town a positive mental health forum that I had set up in January had that conversation on suicide, dispelling the myths about it. It was well attended. It is only by coming forward and speaking out that we can offer help to one another.

I welcome the launch by the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, of the national standards for residential services for children and adults with disabilities, which was long overdue. I am delighted that the systems standards of HIQA will be in place to ensure vulnerable people and those with disabilities will have the safeguards they need in order that they will be protected and their quality of life will be enhanced in every way. However, I have grave concerns about the number of people with disabilities who need access to residential care services. There is a difficulty for those trying to access such care. While improving standards, I hope HIQA will ensure the number of beds and services available for people with disabilities will not decrease.

One item of great concern concerns care in the home for the elderly. I refer specifically to the case, brought to my attention in recent days, of a 90 year old woman in my locality who fell three weeks ago. She has not been able to lie down since because of a broken arm, diabetes and a heart complaint. She has been forced to sleep on a chair at night because no orthopaedic bed is available. We spoke earlier about human dignity and people's rights. It is appalling that in a developed country an orthopaedic bed cannot be provided. I do not mind what cutbacks or cuts to services are made, but we owe this to elderly people and all other citizens. A 90 year old woman is struggling when the problem could be rectified so simply. Such persons need the services provided, including continual home help.