Before I call the next speaker, I welcome the representatives from the International Police Association, which is celebrating 70 years of existence. I thank them for being here. I hope they enjoy the celebrations.

The Real Face of Men's Health report is a major report that was commissioned by the Movember Institute of Men's Health. We are all aware, especially after Covid, how disconnected and lonely many people can feel. Too often, men struggle in silence. They are less inclined to open up about their problems. The term "toxic masculinity" has been used as a catch-all explanation for young men's frustration and isolation. This label is too simplistic. Beneath the surface, many men are wrestling with a profound absence of belonging, identity and purpose. This report lays out the stark reality of men's physical and emotional health, particularly those of young farmers. I know young men who have battled mental health difficulties and who felt they had nowhere to turn or no one to open up to.

Even healthcare professionals feel unequipped. Nearly one quarter of the GPs surveyed shared that they were not confident treating men presenting with suicidal behaviour. In this regard, they cited a lack of crisis services, poor access to mental supports and the difficulty in getting honest communication from male patients. We have positive examples of how to tackle these issues. What we are missing is the investment to grow and expand the services that are required. Initiatives such as the men's sheds show how vital community spaces can provide men with a space to connect with one another. Out-of-hours crisis supports like the Solace Café could play the same role and offer immediate help when men most need it. People with lived experience of suicidal ideation have spoken at length about how just knowing they had a place to go made a critical difference in their lives.

Men are at a higher risk of premature death than women. What is shocking is how men in Traveller communities face significantly higher rates of premature death. The All Ireland Traveller Health Study was published in 2010. As a result, the data relating to this matter is 15 years old. This significantly limits our understanding of more recent trends and data. Without a clearer picture, we cannot target supports where they are most needed. I urge the Government to follow through on a previous commitment to the national men's health policy in 2009 and allocate an initial €10 million in the upcoming budget. We need to know if they ask for help there will be real accessible supports for them.

I welcome the representatives from the International Police Association. I am glad the Cathaoirleach clarified who they are because when I saw all the uniforms, I thought it was a coup. I am reassured to know that there will not be a coup here today.

I thought it was about the speeding tickets.

I call on the Leader to draw to the attention of his party colleague the Minister for education details of a bizarre case that unfolded in County Leitrim recently regarding a venerable and much-respected former school principal, who is 66 years of age and who dedicated his life to education and to rural Ireland. He was in the vanguard of the delivery of special education. I was shocked to discover that he has been brought before the courts. It was alleged, and he admitted, that the enrolment figure for his school for the 2019-20 year had been inflated by three in order to make the total up to 201. This was done in order that he could keep a teacher in a rural area. He had adequate reasons as to why it happened. There were two children who indicated they were coming to the school. Their parents had given permission to include them on the roll, but they did not turn up. In addition, a child who was absent was marked down. The school board of management refunded the money relating to the teacher who was kept on the books for that year.

It was extraordinary. Even Judge Éiteáin Cunningham acceded that the principal was acting out of goodwill to protect the children and staff at the school.

I cannot see the logic of the Department of education going to the expense of taking this case when there was clearly no reason to bring this man, who had an unblemished career, before the courts for something like that. I was shocked and horrified. While all of us in this House can sometimes be befuddled by and query some of the logic and decisions of some Departments, it was shocking to see that man dragged through the courts and his name appear online on the very front page of the Leitrim Observer. Where the story was placed, is something I would question. There must be accountability within the Department of education as to why the man in question was put through what I have outlined. I know him and I know how passionate he is about education. He was very much in the vanguard of special education at a time when we were struggling to get rural schools to embrace and take on the challenge of special education. He was a leader. He looked after two of the largest classes in a primary school in Leitrim. His reward for that work was to be dragged before the local District Court at a difficult time for him and his family. I found that quite extraordinary.

I would go as far as to say that nothing less than an apology from the Minister is what is needed in respect of this extraordinary situation. I want to know if she knew this case was being taken and if she authorised it. It seems bizarre that any Department would, as happened in this case, go on such a folly and seek to blemish an impeccable career. Will the Leader take this matter up with the Minister for education? I would like the Minister to come before the House as soon as possible to discuss other education matters. If she does come here, I will raise this specific matter with her because what happened is one of the most troubling things I have seen. People who dedicate their lives to public service cannot be treated like this.