Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to join my colleagues, Senators Bacik, Humphreys and the entire Labour Party group in the Seanad, to express our condolences to the family of Jo Cox. I am keen to place emphasis on what she believed in, which is far more important than what the person who murdered her believed in. Jo Cox was a person who believed in the human dignity of all individuals, regardless of who they were or where they came from. This is something we should reflect upon because often in Irish society and public discourse we tend to label people and undermine their humanity. This leads to inequality, prejudice and fear.

It is important that anyone thinking of entering politics, especially young women, would be inspired by Jo Cox and not fearful of what happened to her. We live in an era of harsh public discourse. Sometimes it is difficult to get across a nuanced point of view. Some political campaigns can be quite nasty and personalised. Elements of the media are intent on degrading politics and the public discourse we engage in. It is important for anyone listening to those of us in this House, the other House or those in any parliament throughout the world to agree that politics can be the noblest of causes. For a person to take up a campaign and believe in something so vehemently that the person is willing to spend his or her life or career in pursuit of that aim is a good and decent thing. We must protect the public discourse and those who wish to engage in that discourse with everything we can. Again, I join my colleagues in expressing sympathy. I am keen to reassure young men and women who look at and believe in politics that the beliefs and values of Jo Cox will win out.