Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I send my condolences to the people of Donegal and the families of the four young lads who were tragically killed in a car accident this week. I cannot imagine the devastation and the heartbreak that the families are going through.

I want to show my support for the nurses who are on strike today. Nurses are amazing. The work they do is beyond beyond. They are absolutely amazing people. I will never forget when I brought my sister to the emergency department last year. It was like a war zone and I will never forget what I saw there. It really struck me, in my heart and soul, the actual level of trauma the nurses were dealing with. They were almost in trauma themselves. At one point I asked a nurse to help my sister and the nurse could hardly hear me due to the distress and tiredness she was working under. I send my solidarity and support to the nurses on strike today. I really hope the Government will sit down, listen and hear them, and at last give them the respect they deserve.

I want to celebrate Luke Kelly, a wonderful man and one of Ireland's finest performers. It is wonderful to see that he is being celebrated at last. I congratulate his family today and all those involved. I am aware there will be celebrations tonight in Liberty Hall. I cannot make it but there will be a fantastic number of great supporters there singing his songs in memory of him. It is a great day and we remember Luke Kelly today. Go raibh míle maith agat.