Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

While I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Regional Group, I recognise how inadequate any words of mine must be in the face of such tragedy and loss. Nevertheless, I also want to pay tribute to the emergency services, both North and South of the Border, who rushed to the scene on Friday, once again answered for their courage and saved so many lives in so doing. I wish the injured, particularly those who are still in hospital, a full and speedy recovery and I commend the community in Creeslough on looking after one another, looking after the bereaved and helping in the rescue effort.

Most important, I pay tribute to the ten men, women and children who tragically lost their lives and convey the heartfelt sympathies of the Regional Group. I want also to highlight how difficult it is to pass on these sentiments from here in Dublin, so far from Donegal.

To conclude, and I am sorry for getting a small bit emotional, if grief is indeed the price we pay for love, and if mourning is indeed the eventual cost of companionship, then it is absolutely clear from what we have seen over the last few days that these people were hugely respected and will be terribly lost in their community. May they all rest in peace.

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