SEANAD:REFERENCE TO the mystery surrounding the suicide of prominent British football manager Gary Speed led to angry exchanges in the chamber.

Mary White (FF) recalled that she had published a document three years ago on what could be done about suicide in this country. She was sure that all Senators were aware of Mr Speed’s death. To date no reason had emerged as to why he had taken his life.

Catherine Noone (FG) intervened to say she had grave concern about what was being raised.

When Ms White asked her to keep quiet, Cathaoirleach Paddy Burke (FG) said that was an inappropriate response by the Fianna Fáil member and the comment should be withdrawn.

While she was emphasising the need for a serious debate on the issue of suicide, another intervention from the Government side led to Ms White remarking: “You’d want to watch yourself.”

The chairman again admonished her.

The Seanad was praised by an academic for pushing the case for a UN treaty on the rights of the elderly. Prof Gerard Quinn of NUI Galway said that older people were seldom mentioned in human rights treaties. Their virtual invisibility was not helpful in attempts to make universal rights effective for all.

The decision of the Seanad to hold hearings on this issue was particularly timely; the conclusions reached and the recommendations made would, no doubt, have an impact far beyond our shores.

As far as he knew, this was the first time that any European legislature had explicitly addressed the need for such a treaty.