Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Ms Michelle Gildernew MP would like to propose a vote of sympathy.

Ms Michelle Gildernew:

We were all stunned last Sunday morning when we heard the very tragic news that Christopher Stalford, MLA, and Principal Deputy Speaker in the Assembly, had died suddenly. We saw all of the parties coming together in grief on Monday in the Assembly. On behalf of the Sinn Féin MP team, I want to offer our condolences to the family, to Christopher's wife Laura and their four children, to his mother, to the wider family, and obviously to his colleagues in the Democratic Unionist Party, DUP. It has been a very difficult week. The funeral is on Saturday and I know it will be difficult to get over that.

As many of the committee members will know, Christopher had a great sense of humour and was very personable. He was a very capable politician. It is tragic that, at 39 years of age, he has passed away. I offer my condolences and that of the party to Christopher's family, friends and colleagues. I wish them all the best for this very difficult term ahead.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Thank you. We would like to be unanimously associated with that vote of sympathy to the family at this very difficult time. We ask the clerk to write to the family on behalf of the committee to express our deepest sympathy to them.