Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman for putting this item on the agenda of this morning's meeting. It is important that the bereaved parents know the thoughts and prayers of the nation are with them today as they mourn their wonderfully talented young children. What occurred is particularly tragic. I heard a school principal speak this morning about one of the students, a former student of his, who lost his life. The young man, who was highly talented, had his whole life ahead of them.

Young people have had their lives cut short so tragically and suddenly. The dead could have been any of the 7,000 young people with J1 visas this year. It is at times like this that we appreciate the work officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our consular representatives do. They are to be applauded and complimented on the swift action they took to help people and their ability to bring the community on the ground in Berkeley with them. It appears an enormous amount of help, assistance, counselling and support are available for the young people, who are obviously highly traumatised by what has happened. We all hope and pray that the young people who are seriously injured will make a full recovery and will soon be back in Ireland, reunited with their families.