Suicide strategy - Government must build on Harney plan

MORE than two decades after Ireland’s appalling crisis of suicide came to light, a national office to co-ordinate the fight against this terrible problem is finally being established.

That it has taken so long speaks volumes about the abject failure of government to meaningfully address one of the worst suicide epidemics in Europe.

Tragically, while the measures unveiled yesterday by Health Minister and Tánaiste Mary Harney deserve to be welcomed, they come too late for thousands who have taken their own lives over the past 25 years or so.