John Dwyer - H Block Martyrs Cumann, New Ross
Published: 1 March, 2008
This motion, simply worded as it is, if acted on by the Government will save lives. It's as simple as that.
There's not a delegate among us who is not aware of some family that has been touched by the tragedy of suicide.
Every strata of society is affected - it cuts across economic and cultural borders leaving the devastating consequences in its wake and every single person on this island must work together to tackle this human waste.
Let me say that no single individual has all the answers. But collectively we can tackle the growing problem.
I would take this opportunity to point out that this issue has been the focus of attention for people like Dan Neville TD for many for many years now and Senator Mary White has thrown her political weight behind the campaign to raise of the issue. I would also like to single out the Sinn Féin Party president Gerry Adams as having been a tireless worker in highlighting the devastating of suicide across the country. But now we need action.
The HSE are currently negotiating with the trade union movement on the setting p of the dedicated 24 hour help line and I wish them well in their work but I would also plead with all parties to those negotiations to think of this, think of the desperate young mother in Wexford who sought the help of the HSE and when she didn't get that help she took her own life and those of her two young children. Think of those when you next sit down to discuss this and your humanity will ensure that your work is finished quickly.
Finaly, I would take this opportunity to appeal to people I have opposed every day of my political life - to Bertie Ahern, Brian Cowen and Mary Harney - if you can afford to spend €45million on a deserving road safety campaign this year then surely you can find more than the miserable €4million that you have allocated to suicide prevention because more people have died by suicide last year than through road accidents.
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