Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Technical Group and Independent Deputies, I offer my deepest sympathy to the families of all of those massacred on the beaches of Tunisia. Last week in the Dáil, we all mourned our young students in Berkeley and now today we must pay our respects to more Irish families whose members died abroad. However, this time it was not an accident. This time it was a deliberate massacre of happy families on the lovely beaches of Tunisia.

We heard first of the death of Lorna Carty and then of those of Larry and Martina Hayes. Our sincerest and deepest sympathies go to all of their families. It is a horrific loss for this to happen to any family, particularly to families on holiday with their children. Our colleague, Deputy Ray Butler, knows the Carty family and I commend and thank him for the way he helped them and handled their terrible loss.

We all know those families hearts are broken and they will never get over the horrific nightmare, so it is important that they get all of the help and support they need. They deserve our total support.

Racism and sectarianism should always be challenged in any society or in any country. It is not civilised. Let us not forget that there are many people in other parts of the world who also agree with what is being said here today. The slaughter of the innocents should never be an option. I offer my deepest sympathy to all of the victims. All Members of the Oireachtas are with them today and are thinking of them.

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