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

On behalf of the Independent Alliance I offer my deepest sympathy to all the families and victims of the horrific slaughter last week on the streets of Nice. A total of 84 people were murdered and more than 300 were injured. Many families have been devastated. Many of the families who survived will never get over that mass murder. What a nightmare for those families, particularly the mothers, fathers and children.

Nice is a part of France I know well. Like many of my colleagues, I have walked that walk. I walked along it 15 or 16 years ago with my two daughters in a buggy, so I know exactly the kind of situation that prevailed when the nightmare happened. Such murder can never ever be tolerated. It is important today that we focus on the victims. I agree with my colleagues that we must examine broader issues internationally as well, but today I wish to focus on the victims and their families and also to remember the French people.

Let us not forget the Tunisian people either. I saw a television programme the other night where a lot of Tunisian French families were interviewed. They were upset and devastated that one from their country had carried out that horrific act. There are still many good people in the world. Let us remember them and let us not ever tolerate any kind of racism or sectarianism in this country or internationally. Once again, I offer my deepest sympathy to all of the families.

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