Increased investment in the psychiatric services was called for by Dan Neville (FG, Limerick West) during a series of statements on suicide prevention.
He said international research had shown that between 80 and 90 per cent of those who took their lives were suffering from a psychiatric or emotional condition and, in many cases, this was unidentified depression.
"Recent research carried out in Kildare indicated that most of the young men who died were suffering from undiagnosed depression. The development of the psychiatric services has a key role to play in reducing suicide and in suicide prevention. The debate on the development of the psychiatric services is similar to the debate on suicide prevention." Mr Neville, who has long campaigned on the issue, said one in four people would at some stage suffer from a psychiatric condition requiring intervention. "We do not have community-based psychiatric services, which are needed."
In 1997, 11 per cent of the health budget went towards the psychiatric services, but this year the figure was just 7 per cent. Mr Neville added that society had lost its way. "The euro is worshipped and happiness emanates from the euro."
Minister of State for Health Tim O'Malley said that in 2003, the number of registered deaths in Ireland attributed to suicide was 444. "A disturbing feature is the male suicide rate, which accounted for 80 per cent of deaths from suicide in 2003. In particular, young males and older males aged 65 years and over have shown an increase in the rate of suicide."
Mr O'Malley added that those trends required further research so that strategies could be developed to help people who were particularly at risk.
He said that while the suicide level gave cause for concern, it was important to point out that youth suicide in Ireland was not the highest in the EU.
"The most recent analysis suggests it is fifth highest. In terms of the overall suicide rate, Ireland ranks 17th in the EU. Recent figures suggest that the rate has stopped rising, but it is correct that we probably experienced the fastest-rising rate in Europe during the 1980s and 90s, albeit from a low base rate."
Labour health spokeswoman Liz McManus said that while advances had been made in recognising suicide as a major public health and social issue, suicide and mental-health services in general had suffered sustained neglect in funding by the Government. "The latest statistics reveal that suicide accounts for 50 per cent more deaths annually than road accidents."
Paudge Connolly (Independent, Cavan-Monaghan) said this was 2005 and they were analysing the suicide figures for 2003. "That is not good enough. Another issue is bed shortages." Finian McGrath ( Independent, Dublin North Central) said there was a link between suicides and factors such as unemployment, living in poverty, bullying, relationship breakdown, legal and work-related problems, alcohol and drug abuse, physical or sexual abuse in childhood and social exclusion.
Pat Carey (FF, Dublin North West) said suicide had an intensely devastating effect.
"I know of many families in my own constituency, some of them very close friends, who have had to bear this intense loss."
Paul Gogarty (Green Party, Dublin Mid West) said the UK spent four times as much on mental health services as Ireland.
"There is a greater drink culture here than in continental Europe. These factors contribute to our high suicide rate," he added.
Gay Mitchell (FG, Dublin South Central) said politicians could no more reverse the suicide trends than create jobs.
Máire Hoctor (FF, Tipperary North) said statistics showed that north Tipperary had the worst figures for suicides in the Republic.
