Chairman: Our topic this morning is the issue of suicide in Ireland. I thank Senator John Gilroy, who has been acting as the committee rapporteur for the past 18 months and has compiled and completed the report of the joint committee. He has put in a good deal of work and travelled thousands of kilometres throughout the country engaging with members of the public, those affected by suicide and those working with people, families and various organisations. As part of his work we are holding two sessions of further public engagement today on this topical, sensitive and important issue for many people, not only those in government and the Houses of the Oireachtas but those in many communities throughout the country.

I welcome Professor Ella Arensman from the National Suicide Research Foundation. I also welcome Dr. Myra Cullinane, vice president, Coroners Society of Ireland. I welcome Dr. Steve MacFeely, assistant director general from the Central Statistics Office in Cork as well as Mr. Paul Crowley, senior statistician. I also welcome viewers on UPC channel 207 who are watching the programme this morning….

[For the full debate, click on this link to the Oireachtas website]