Niall Ó Brolcháin (Green Party)

I also join other Members in expressing my sympathies and condolences to all concerned with the tragic events in counties Cork and Limerick. I am very concerned about these events because two obviously similar events happened in close proximity to each other. I recognise there is great stress and strain on families at present and Members must take heed of what has happened. While I hope that similar events do not occur in the future, Members must consider support for such situations. There is a difficulty, given the level of hysteria with which some of the current events are being debated and reported. The general mood in the country is not good. Let us all recognise that the country is in a very difficult situation. Having read the sections of the Constitution which deal with the reportage of events, there is a huge responsibility on those who report on the difficult situation in which we find ourselves. People have a sense of appalling hopelessness. I listened carefully to Senator Alex White who was on the ball in raising the issue of trust. He related his comments to trust in the Government, but trust has broken down in whole areas of society, including the Opposition, politics in general and the leadership of the country. Many no longer believe what they read or hear on television. So many do not know whom they should trust. It is our job, as politicians, to find a way to restore the trust of the people.