Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to convey my sympathy and that of the joint committee to the families whose loved ones were lost so tragically as a result of yesterday morning's events in Berkeley. It will be very difficult for the families to come to terms with this tragedy. I am sure many of those involved in the events were looking forward to a bright experience abroad but suddenly all of that has been cut short, particularly for the six victims who died and for those who were critically injured. I commend the Department on its initial response. The Department, its emergency consular response team and our consul general, Mr. Philip Grant, and his team in San Francisco were all off the mark quickly in respect of this matter, as was the Minister for Foreign Affairs. This has been a very difficult time for those in Berkeley. Approximately 8,000 J1 visas are issued every year and approximately 35% of those who obtain them travel to Berkeley. Many families endured a very worrying and anxious time yesterday morning because it was night-time in California and many could not contact their children because they were asleep. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims.