Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before we go into private session some members were anxious to pay some respects to the late Hugo Chávez, the President of Venezuela, who passed away yesterday. He was a very popular man among his people, having won three elections, the last of them only a few months ago. Unfortunately he was very ill during that election and died yesterday. He brought about many social changes in his country which is rich in oil reserves. He was very popular in South America. I propose that the committee express sympathy with the government and the people of Venezuela and that we write a letter to the ambassador.

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