John Gormley

349. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made in the study being conducted by his Department into Irish prisoners abroad; the non-governmental organisations that have been consulted in its preparation; when he expects the study will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36213/06] (more…)

350. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he will be attending the hearings of the European Parliament’s temporary committee on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transport and illegal detention of prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[36214/06]

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Mr. Gormley: The White Paper has been warmly received by the NGO community and I welcome many aspects of it. During the summer I was in New York with the Taoiseach and the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan. On my return I stated that the Taoiseach’s speech had been well received at the UN. Ireland’s good work is acknowledged, particularly by those in sub-Saharan Africa. Ireland is playing a major role in aid.

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162. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if a common waiting list was considered as part of the 2001 health strategy; the reason for its exclusion; her views on whether it would introduce greater equality into the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35454/06]

177. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if her Department has carried out studies on the possible impact of a common waiting list; her views on whether this would introduce greater equality into the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35455/06]

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Mr. Gormley: It is very important that we discuss this topic at length in the House. We have spoken about it in committees, but this is the first time we have done so in the Chamber. At a time of unprecedented economic growth and prosperity, why is there an increase in suicide? There are several answers to the question. If one reads the report, one can get an indication of that. Going back 100 years, Durkheim stated that many suicides occur when the attachments between an individual and society are strained and fragmented. We have an economic system and parties, such as that of the Minister of State, which advocate a certain economic orthodoxy that places the emphasis on the individual as opposed to society. Margaret Thatcher once famously said that there is no such thing as society, only the individual. That is very dangerous and we can see the consequences of that kind of thinking. So much of life has now become a commodity. The rearing of children, child care and looking after older people are now commodities. People are paid to do things and the idea of volunteerism is now gone. The extended family is gone and the type of society that we now have is based on capitalism and the market. We can call it an industrialised society or a consumer society, but it amounts to the same thing; the individual seems to be under enormous pressure. That has led to an increase in suicide, despair, depression and alienation from society as the individual sees it.

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80. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his speech to the UN General Assembly in September 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34477/06]

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Mr. Gormley: I see Deputy O’Malley is leaving. I was about to be very generous by acknowledging that any Minister for Health and Children has an unenviable task. It is not an easy job.

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173. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to a company (details supplied) carrying out activities in a residential area; her views on whether this activity is in breach of health and safety standards; if she will investigate this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34741/06]

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney): The Deputy’s question relates to a commercial entity for which I have no statutory responsibility. However, I understand that the company has a contractual relationship with the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

117. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent meeting with Sudan’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Lam Akol, at the UN in which the Minister outlined the Irish Government’s concerns regarding the situation in Darfur; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34478/06]

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450. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the September 2006 meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Finland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34529/06]

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