Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to be associated with the tributes to Jo Cox, MP. Like everyone else, I did not know the lady. From what I have read, however, she was an excellent parliamentarian. She had previously been head of policy at Oxfam and brought many skills and much experience to her job as an MP. She was going about her daily duty, holding a clinic like any of us would, and she was gunned down and stabbed. What happened was an affront to democracy.

When I looked through the various accounts in the media, I saw that her husband, Brendan, issued a statement after her malicious stabbing. He said people would fight against the hatred that killed her. I want to put this matter in its broader context. In recent years we have seen a terrible polarisation in politics and life. People have been forced to take up positions. The middle ground is now seen as something to be frowned upon. This has not done justice to the ordinary people. I ask that we reflect on the type of politics we want. We can have diversity but it should not come down to the physical. There would be no more fitting tribute than if Brexit was passed in her honour.