Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I rise to express solidarity with the people and Parliament of Canada, following the invasion of the House of Parliament by a gunman yesterday. The Speaker of the Canadian Senate, Mr. Noel Kinsella, is a great friend of this country. He has called a meeting of the Senate to show terrorists that democracy will continue in his country. The Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons, Mr. Andrew Scheer, also deserves our solidarity following this outrageous attack.

The Canadian coat of arms includes three golden lions representing England, the lion rampant of Scotland, the Irish harp of Tara, the royal fleurs-de-lis of France and the maple leaf.

That parliament was established by Thomas D'Arcy McGee from Carlingford, County Louth. It is an inclusive, welcoming and multicultural society and deserves the support of this House at this critical time.

I understand the proceedings on the Seanad motion on the Palestinian issue were covered on the BBC World Service early this morning, again showing the prestige in which the House is held internationally.

We have now spent €10.1 million on the charging infrastructure for electric cars and €2.26 million on subsidies, which comes to €27,000 for each of the 482 cars in use. Could we, please, read the small print before embarking on these trendy causes? We have ended up spending €12.36 million and all Members would find better ways to spend the money.