Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I join with other Deputies in offering, on behalf of the Green Party, my condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy. Our thoughts, prayers and support go out to them in what must be a very difficult time as they head into a month's mind to recall and treasure their lost loved ones.

I was fortunate to be able to visit the village of Creeslough on Sunday two weeks ago when I attended mass in St. Michael's Church. Fr. Seamus Murphy stood in as substitute for Fr. John Joe Duffy who, not surprisingly, had Covid because in the previous weeks he had so much contact, literally in touch in every way. Pope Francis described the role of the priest as like someone in a field hospital. Fr. Duffy helped people of the community through a very difficult time.

Through Fr. Duffy, I was lucky to meet Margaret Anne Dolan and Brian Dolan, members of the Creeslough Community Association. Through them, I had the great honour of meeting various people in the village who had been heroic in their response. From listening to them, what stayed with me was the instantaneous response after the explosion when the community, the people of the village, arrived at the most unimaginable scene and had the incredibly arduous job of getting people out and trying to prevent any further casualties or loss of life. The heroism the people of the village showed at that time touched so many people here and all over the world.

I am conscious that the village is cut off. I was talking to Deputy Doherty last week about the need to reopen the road as soon as we can. The Deputy is correct in that regard. At the same time, gardaí standing guard at the scene are making sure the incident is investigated in a thoroughly professional and proper way. That is fair but I hope the road will reopen shortly. My Department will do everything we can to help restore connectivity and ensure the community is supported, as it needs to be, through counselling, to which Deputy Shortall referred, and every other measure and means available to us.

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