Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

There is no room for ambiguity, political ambiguity or any other explanation other than that this was a brutal murder. To hear of Stephen Carroll, a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, being shot dead last night as he carried out his duty is equally appalling. In a democracy every life must be valued. There is no Irish life or British life; there is human life. There are no terms such as "collaborators" or "freedom fighters". There are only decent people trying to do their jobs. There are other people trying to take their lives.

On behalf of Fine Gael, I extend my sympathies and, I am sure, those of everyone in the House to the families of the soldiers and constable. There can be no going back. These lives cannot be in vain. Those who are responsible must be apprehended and brought to justice as a priority.