Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the first instance, on behalf of the Government and on my own behalf, I again would like to convey my deepest sympathy to King Charles, the royal household, the United Kingdom Government and the British people on the loss of their beloved monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. There are many on this island who saw Queen Elizabeth as their queen. We sympathise with them on this very sad moment in history, having witnessed an incredible reign in terms of duration, duty and service.

I will long remember her visit in 2011 - it marked a crucial step in the normalisation of British-Irish relationships - particularly when it culminated in the visit to Cork and during her walkabout at the English Market. In that classic Cork manner, everything eased and calmed, there was a bit of banter with the people and the visit was much more gregarious than perhaps at other locations across the country.

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