Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

We are well used to it. Because this is a difficult day for so many people, I extend every blessing and comfort to those who today and over the period ahead suffer the loss of a loved one, such as so many families experienced yesterday on the roads of our country. I am sure for each and every one of us, knowing the centrality of family at Christmas time, I can only say that the great weight and great burden that so many will suffer over this Christmas period is hardly imaginable. We must be mindful of those at this time of the year.

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