Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join others in expressing my incredible sorrow and shock at the tragic death of Jo Cox following a brutal attack that sent shock waves around the world and extending my sympathy to her husband, Brendan; her two young children; her family and friends; and her constituents and colleagues who have lost a powerful advocate. She brought generosity of spirit, compassion and determination to every aspect of her wonderful life, including her personal relationships, her work for her constituency of Batley and Spen and her career in global development. Her work for Oxfam brought her to some of the most wartorn places in the world. She campaigned tirelessly for humanitarian relief and peace in these regions. She worked across party lines to achieve her goals and she never faltered in her determination to improve the lives of the world's most marginalised people. Every life counted in her eyes. She recognised the beauty and potential in every human being, from the refugee children of Syria and the members of communities caught in conflict in Darfur to the women who died needlessly in childbirth. She did her utmost to give a voice to those without one and direct the eyes of the world to issues it would sometimes like to forget.

Jo Cox was a passionate champion for gender equality. She played an active role in the women's movement. Like many members of the Civil Engagement group, she decided to step out of civil society because she wanted to see what she could achieve in representative politics. Her family has described how she entered Parliament because she wanted to be in the engine room of change. She had a respect for the importance of political debate, a determination to translate that respect into meaningful action and a willingness to reach across the aisles to do so. This stands in sharp contrast to the hostile and authoritarian approach taken by the groups the rhetoric of which seems to have influenced her attacker. Of course, there has been deep and widespread concern about the racist and politically divisive motivations expressed in her killing. Surely, therefore, we must heed the message of her husband, Brendan, who has called on us to honour her legacy with a united response against the poison of hatred in all its forms. Such hatred must not be allowed to corrode the political process or public trust in it. Democracy must not be intimidated. Barriers must not be placed between public representatives and the public space in which they represent the people. I agree that there is a question for the media to look to its role and the language it uses. It should use responsible language in how it engages in these issues. It is heartening, however, to see how so many have chosen to honour Jo Cox with a counter-flow of love and positivity in recent days, for example, with the raising of funds for groups such as HOPE not hate. One strong part of Jo's legacy, a powerful legacy which her children must surely be proud of and which all of us can learn from, must be the words of her maiden speech, "we are far more united and have far more in common with each other than the things that divide us". These words must inspire us to closer and more constructive collaboration as parliamentarians, but they must also inspire us as Irish, European and global citizens in a shared world. Yesterday was world refugee day. On the streets of Dublin, United Against Racism marched. In towns and communities throughout the United Kingdom and the world people came together to send a message of solidarity to the 65 million people who are now displaced, more people than at any time in history.

Jo Cox was a passionate advocate for these people driven from their homes by the scourges of conflict and climate change. She said these people have been forced to stay and face starvation and persecution or make a perilous journey in search of sanctuary. One way those of us in Ireland can honour her is by offering sanctuary to the men, women and children forced to risk their lives. Europe cannot be allowed to step away from its human rights principles. Let us commit to honour Jo Cox by working together across all barriers to bring about a more inclusive and equal Ireland and world.