Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join with the Members of the House in expressing my sincere and heartfelt sympathies to every single person who has been affected by this brutal, senseless and cruel attack. Our thoughts are in particular with the young children and the carer who were attacked on Thursday afternoon, as well as their families and loved ones. To perpetrate such violence against any person is a grave travesty; to do so against innocent children and their carer takes the horror and indecency of what occurred to a whole new level.

I have been fortunate enough to visit Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire on a couple of occasions since becoming Minister for Education. It is an excellent school, one which works wholeheartedly and ambitiously to serve its students and local community. The school is under the expert leadership of a dedicated principal, deputy principal, senior management and board of management, all working together with excellent staff to realise great things for the children in their care. This they do every single day.

For the information of the House, where a tragic incident arises in a school, or, as in this instance, in proximity to a school, the school's critical incident plan is activated and NEPS plays a central role in supporting the school in this work. Students have now returned to the school, where they are receiving the care and attention they need from those who know them best, namely, their teachers, SNAs, secretaries, caretakers - in effect, the school community. Since the dreadful events of last Thursday, NEPS has been both on the ground in the school and in daily contact with school staff and will continue to be available for as long as is necessary. Additional staffing support has also been provided to the school to support it through this difficult time.

Fundamentally, these events have pierced the bubble of comfort and innocence which we would hope to surround our children. Tragically, the unimaginable has arisen in the vicinity of this school. It will take time, continued support and dedicated care for the school and its community to recover. We must always remember the strength and unity we have in this country and the respect and affection we have children and, indeed, for education.

What happened in Dublin city later on Thursday evening was nothing short of shameful. These were the actions of the few, not the actions of the many. The carer, the passersby and the members of the emergency services who intervened on Parnell Square demonstrated their selflessness, their generosity and their absolute determination to shield, protect and guard young children. That was the gut instinct of humanity by the many. It should not be overshadowed by the disgraceful actions of the few. In our hearts and minds today remain the children, the carer, their families, their school and their wider community.

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