Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 15 Members who contributed to the Order of Business. I begin by paying tribute to the former Ceann Comhairle, Seán Treacy, and I offer the sympathies of the House to his family on his very sad passing.On my own behalf and that of Fine Gael and the House, I join Senator Terry Leyden in extending sympathy to the families affected and the Russian Federation on the tragic loss of life in the horrific fire in a shopping centre at the weekend. We are all united in our expressions of sympathy on the loss of the 64 victims who included, as the Senator said, 41 young children. I offer our sympathy to the Russian people on these tragic deaths.

I wholeheartedly agree with Senator Catherine Ardagh on the issue of DEIS status. It is an important issue, on which many of us on this side of the House have been interacting with the Minister for Education and Skills-----