Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte go dtí an Teach seo roimh an uachtarán, a chlann agus na daoine uilig atá anseo inniu. Cuirim fáilte roimh na comhairleoirí agus all the special guests in the Gallery this afternoon freisin. I enjoyed the uachtarán's speech. He covered many aspects of the GAA and the many aspects of life that are manifested throughout the organisation. In particular, we reflect on the community of south-west Donegal, as was mentioned earlier, which is going through a very difficult time. A dark cloud hangs over that part of Donegal, where four young men lost their lives. I extend my sympathy to the extended families and the community of west Donegal as they try to come to terms with the horror that happened last Sunday night. It should be remembered that the four young men, all in their 20s, who lost their lives were all members of GAA clubs. I have no doubt that the GAA community in west Donegal and throughout the rest of the county will put its arms around the families and others in the community as they try to come to terms with the tragedy.

The four young men in their 20s were members of Cloughaneely or Gaoth Dobhair GAA clubs. John Harley was captain of Cloughaneely GAA club in 2016 and 2017, and was player of the year in the latter year. Shaun Harkin and Daniel Scott were also members of the Cloughaneely club, while Mícheal Roarty was a member of the Gaoth Dobhair club, where he won an all-Ireland vocational schools medal, and played at minor level for Donegal. Mr. Horan pinpointed many aspects of the GAA and its qualities. As I said, it will wrap its arms around the families and the community of west Donegal in the tough few days that lie ahead. It is another example of the GAA's fantastic work and of how it touches every parish and community in the country. It is important that we recognise the good work the GAA does, as was outlined by Mr. Horan in his fine speech.

On a lighter note, I attended the match in Clones between Monaghan and Dublin at the weekend. Mr. Horan is a Dub and this year has the potential to be an historic year for Dublin as the drive for five championships in a row pushes on. The performance of Monaghan at the weekend will give confidence to many teams throughout the county that the great Dubs can be slain.

That amounts to back-to-back success in the league over Dublin – we beat the Dublin team in Croke Park last year and beat the team again last Sunday. Speaking as an Ulster GAA man, I am keen to highlight that the GAA in Ulster can be proud of the fact that the last team to beat Dublin in the championship back in 2014 was Donegal.

I attended that match in St. Tiernach's Park in Clones at the weekend. It would be remiss of me not to mention St. Tiernach's Park, Clones, which is the venue for the Ulster finals. There is an ongoing campaign to ensure that the Ulster finals remain in Clones for the foreseeable future. I appeal to Mr. Horan to bring away that thought and consideration. It is shared by not only by Gaels throughout Monaghan but throughout Ulster. They are attempting to try to keep the Ulster final in Clones for many years to come.