Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Like everybody else, I was shocked and horrified by the incident in Woolwich, London, yesterday in which a young man was killed in broad daylight in front of large numbers of people in a brutal and gruesome attack. I am sure everybody would wish to extend their sympathies to the family of the dead young man. It is a serious issue, one which raises real concerns for public safety and security in Britain. It was heartening to hear David Miliband, former Foreign Secretary, who is in Ireland today, speak of the broad range of condemnation from across British society at this horrific attack. It raises issues not alone for people in Britain but public safety and security in general.

I welcome the conclusion of the latest round of discussions on Croke Park II and pay tribute to the negotiators in the Labour Relations Commission on the enormous amount of work and long hours put in seeking to achieve a better deal which could be agreed by the unions. I pay tribute also to the unions who stuck with the process and have reached accommodations and agreements on terms. While I know we will be debating them in this House, it is worth extending a tribute to the negotiators involved.

Yesterday, other Senators sought a debate on the tax regime on foot of the reports about the hearings in the US Senate. The Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, has robustly defended the Irish tax regime as transparent and has rejected the claim of any special deal with Apple, which is welcome.