Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am glad we have been given this opportunity to extend our sincere sympathies to the families of those six young people who lost their lives in very tragic circumstances. It is terrible to see so many young people lose their lives in such circumstances. We were all shocked and horrified early yesterday afternoon when we heard the news about the tragic accident in Berkeley. I commend the Minister and the consul general and his colleagues in the United States on the programme they so swiftly put in place to do the best they could to assist the families of those who were involved in the incident and to communicate information to other families back home who were worried about children with whom they could not get in contact. The families of those who were killed are grieving in exceptionally difficult circumstances and I am glad that the State's services have been placed at their disposal. Obviously, the amount people can do to assist families that are experiencing a trauma such as this is limited. However, I welcome the support, which has been highlighted in the broadcast media, provided by the local Irish community in California and also the community in general in the Berkeley area. Those of us who represent constituencies with a history of large-scale emigration are always conscious of the impact when accidents involving those who have left our areas and travelled abroad occur.

In the Dáil yesterday, the different party leaders expressed their sympathies to the families that have lost loved ones. I take this opportunity to echo what they said and to extend my sympathy and that of the Fianna Fáil Party to those involved. I assure the families of those young people who were seriously injured that our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time as well.