Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Senator Máiría Cahill and wish her the very best of luck in Seanad Éireann.

I express my disgust at the atrocities which occurred in Paris. It has shaken the very core of the world's liberty and has instilled fear in our society. When we think of going out to enjoy a concert, dinner, date or drink, one never knows the hour or the day when something like this will happen.

I echo what Senators Landy and Burke stated. They took the very words out of my mouth when they referred to how proud former Senator Jimmy Harte would have been with the great win Ireland had last night. Having said this, we are definitely the only island in Europe which has two teams playing in the European championship. Being the only island with two teams, we also have two managers by the name of O'Neill - Michael and Martin. Sport has united Ireland in many ways for many a decade, and when teams from the North or South were playing in respective championships, both North and South cheered. It will be quite interesting to see whether the North and the Republic will be matched up in the European championships next year, but we will cheer for both of them. Well done to the Republic of Ireland last night.