Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to echo the sentiments of Senator Moran with regard to the late Minister of State, Deputy Shane McEntee. His address here on 15 November 2012 was remarkable for the commitment he showed with regard to the attempts to save the country from ash tree disease. Everyone in north Meath on Christmas eve felt the tremendous outpouring of sadness. Our sympathies are with his family, his mother, his wife and his children.

I commend the Tánaiste and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on their meeting in Belfast last week on the flags issue. A political solution is obviously required. The situation has been very damaging to the island of Ireland, in particular the images being shown in the past few days of people taking to the streets. Tourism and trade has been affected. Public funds have been diverted from other vital social needs to pay for policing.

The Tánaiste and the Secretary of State are to be commended on trying to find a political solution to that problem.