INDEPENDENTS 4 CHANGE TD Clare Daly took the opportunity of a full Dáil chamber today to highlight what has been going on in the lives of people while the political drama was going on.

While those around her discussed what was happening inside the chamber and behind the doors of Leinster House, Daly spoke about issues affecting ordinary people across Ireland.

Taking to her feet prior to the vote for Taoiseach, Daly read out a letter she had received from a woman whose sister had died by suicide.

The woman had been in trouble with the banks and her marriage had ended.

Her sister said in the letter that her mental health suffered and she sought help from her GP. She was given medication for depression, but her doctor said this needed to be re-evaluated, said the letter.

She was put on a waiting list to see a psychiatrist… the waiting list, with cuts to mental health, was four months.

“She had been working but she wasn’t able to keep it on, so she was put on disability benefit.”

Daly said the woman received a letter to say she had not turned up for her appointment for a review of her benefit, so her payment was suspended.

“The woman went on to say: ‘I found that letter, and all of the letters from the banks and financial agencies scattered around her bedroom’.”

Daly said the woman called the coroner’s office to ask when an inquest into her sister’s death would be.

She was told that because of the high rate of suicide, they are estimating 18 months.

That’s the Ireland you have been responsible for.

Daly criticised the programme for government for being a “perpetuation and continuation of that situation”.

“You’re going to get your hands back on the reigns today, maybe,” she said to Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.

She reminded him it was Robespierre’s birthday today and he ended up on the guillotine.

She said that she really hoped today was the endgame, adding:

I really can’t take much more of this.

Taking her seat, Daly shook her head, looking visibly upset, as speeches resumed.

If you need to talk, contact:

• Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
• Console 1800 247 247 – (suicide prevention, self-harm, bereavement)
• Aware 1800 80 48 48 (depression, anxiety)
• Pieta House 01 601 0000 or email mary@pieta.ie – (suicide, self-harm)
• Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)
• Childline 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)

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