Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I dtús báire, ar mo shon féin agus ar son an Tí ba mhaith liom mo chombhrón a ghabháil do na clanna tar éis bás na mná agus na leanaí maidin inniu i Cluain Dolcáin. It is important that Senators send their sympathies to the families of the mother and two young children who were tragically killed this morning in Clondalkin. It is awful news. Any day that lives are lost is not a good day. On this International Women's Day, it is a chilling reminder to us all that life is precious. Be people in a refuge or home or on the roads and streets of our country, something like this is upsetting and sad, and the House sends its sympathies to the families of the deceased. Three lives have been lost.

Although we are sad, new life has been given to us. On behalf of the House, I congratulate Senator Swanick and his wife, Aislinn, on the great news of the birth of their daughter, Rosa Pearl. Life begins and life ends, but it is important on this day that we acknowledge the birth of new life.

I salute and congratulate mná na hÉireann on this day. Senator Devine would prefer it if I had a dress on or one of my colleagues was present instead. I take her point, but there is also a need to put matters in context. It is about gender equality and equality for all people. Today is a day for recognising and acknowledging the importance of women in society, Irish life and world affairs, but also-----