An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-26
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Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (FF), Labour Panel

I want to talk about the topic of loneliness. It is often conflated with being alone but it is actually a totally different feeling and thing. Recent surveys have shown Ireland to be one of the loneliest places in Europe. Twenty percent of Irish people surveyed admitted they regularly felt lonely whereas the European average was 13%. That is a big difference. I would like to ask the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, to come to the House and debate the topic. Someone can be lonely in a big crowd, so it is hard to see it in someone to deal with it. If we opened up on the topic, we might see the signs in someone who is feeling alone even in a big crowd. It can lead to major depression and isolation. It is a very important topic.
I will conclude by wishing Ireland all the best tonight. I thank them for the great journey they are bringing us all on.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-26/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:47+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-26