Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join colleagues in extending my deepest sympathy to all of those who lost their lives in the Tunisian terror attack at the weekend. We think, in particular, today of the family of Lorna Carty from County Meath and Larry and Martina Hayes from Athlone. The Hayes family has many connections in my home town.What we saw was an act of terrorism and racism of the worst kind, which obviously was designed to inflict as much damage as possible on the economy of Tunisia. Members must stand in solidarity with that country, which is struggling to maintain its democracy and to move its economy on. In particular, this proves how vulnerable we all are. The people who were on that beach had no agenda, except to get a bit of a rest and a break. They were no threat to anyone but were killed in cold blood. A debate is needed in this House on the threat being posed by Islamic State and what can be done collectively with our European Union partners to deal with this major threat to civilisation and to democracy. I also share the concern expressed by a previous speaker who referred to the possibility that there may be Irish citizens fighting in Syria with Islamic State, a matter about which Members should be deeply concerned.