Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

With the Ceann Comhairle's permission, I would like to express my sympathy to the family and friends of those involved in the horrific road traffic accident that occurred in my own constituency of Wexford, on the New Ross road, last night. I empathise with the emergency response personnel, the gardaí and the ambulance crews, and indeed local people who arrived on what was a scene of horror.

I echo the words of the Taoiseach and other leaders in extending our condolences to the family, friends and former colleagues of former Chief Justice Finlay. His career was exemplified, as others have said, by distinguished public service. He served the people both as a representative in this Parliament and as an arbiter of justice.

As others have said, in his career he was central to some of the most far-reaching judicial decisions of our time. He delivered the leading judgment in the X case and upheld parliamentary privilege in the beef tribunal case against the former leader of the Labour Party, Mr. Dick Spring. Even in retirement, he continued to serve, including as a sole member of the hepatitis C tribunal. On behalf of the Labour Party, I send our sympathy and condolences to his extended family.

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