Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also want to be associated with the expressions of sympathy on the untimely and unseemly death of Jo Cox, MP. It is difficult to exaggerate the shock felt at the sad news of her murder. The big question relates to why this happened. When we hear further details, there does not seem to be an answer to that question. We have gone so far in the western democratic world, safe in the knowledge that public representatives who are there by the will of the people and by our say are safe and will not endure physical harm, because to do so would be an attack on us, on democracy, on the State and on the will of the people.

The murder of Jo Cox makes no sense. Even after we know more about the killer, it makes no sense because the democratic process requires us to follow a particular path in order to achieve our goals rather than resorting to physical violence. Such violence is never the answer. What will it do? It will give rise to another election, which could mean the election of somebody on the same course and with the same political objectives as Jo Cox. It inspires us all to dig deep and hold fast to law and order, justice, the safety of the person and freedom of expression. This is what we believe civilised beings should do.

This meaningless act of violence should prompt us to examine what goes on here. I will briefly mention what happened during the height of the water charges controversies and what was visited upon the then Tánaiste. My office was petrol bombed. There did not seem to be boundaries as to what could be done, particularly with regard to threats. There is a line and if one crosses it, there is a big price to be paid. We hold fast to this line. Today we think of Jo Cox and her family.