Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Last week, I made reference to a debate in the Seanad on a sports strategy. I also alluded to the fact that the weekend would be bookended with our Irish soccer team playing against Germany in Dublin and our rugby team playing in the Rugby World Cup. We enjoyed the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat on both ends, but sadly the weekend was tainted by the catastrophic fire in Carrickmines, with the loss of ten lives, and the gunning down of Garda Anthony Golden. It really puts into perspective what life is all about. While we had sympathy for those affected in Carrickmines over the weekend, I was disappointed to see neighbours in the same area block the identified site to which some of those affected are to be moved. On the other hand, we saw a perpetrator and a murderer, the thug who was out on bail. This should not be happening in our society. Lives are at stake in rural Ireland, and in Ireland in general, from these thugs who are out on bail.

This weekend we face another weekend of exceptional sport, and I wish the Irish rugby team the very best of luck in the quarter finals against Argentina. It is appropriate to pay tribute to our great captain and leader, Paul O'Connell, whose international career was cut short by a catastrophic hamstring injury. He has made a phenomenal contribution to Irish life through his dedication to Ireland and leadership of the team. When all 15 players step out onto the pitch in Cardiff at the weekend, his loss will be an inspiration to them.We must not forget that tonight another Irish sportsman will be going for gold. We hope that Michael Conlon will become the first Irishman to win a gold medal in the World Boxing Championships.

I will conclude by making some points on the budget. I understand that budgets cannot please people all of the time. I realise that we have very short memories. If Senator Hayden could look back to three, four, five or six years ago, where were we then?