Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join the Taoiseach, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and other speakers in conveying my sympathies to the people of France. The horrific attacks on Paris last week touched everybody deeply in Ireland, across Europe and throughout the world. It was a trauma for the French people, Europeans collectively and everybody who values democracy and freedom. I take this opportunity, in a totally unqualified fashion, to convey my deep sympathies to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims of the attacks, the French people and the French community in Ireland.

I spoke last Wednesday to my French counterpart, the Minister for European Affairs, Harlem Désir, who was due to be in Ireland last Thursday and Friday. Of course, he instead remained in Paris for the national day of mourning. The programme we were due to conduct in Cork showed the richness of Ireland's relationship with the people of France in cultural, business and academic terms. While atrocities, unfortunately, take place all over the world, we have a special relationship with France through our membership of the European Union. As such, these events touch us in a different measure.

The French ambassador, Jean-Pierre Thébault, is here with us this evening. I acknowledge the great leadership he has shown at this difficult time for the French people living in Ireland. We will work with our European and international allies to defend our shared values of respect, freedom, dignity and tolerance to counter the scourge of global terrorism. As the Taoiseach stated, there is need for a comprehensive international approach that will tackle the underlying causes of terrorism, prevent radicalisation and ensure there is more effective sharing of information. No nation in Europe has managed to embody the shared identity of Europe and its people - the values of liberté, égalitéand fraternité- as France has done. We must all stand with her people at this very sad time.

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