Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want the House to reflect for a moment or two on another sad situation that occurred recently. I refer to the words of Dr. Samar Fatima Ali about her father, who worked in Tallaght University Hospital, Beaumont Hospital and the Mater Hospital. She stated in an RTÉ interview:

There are no words for the pain that we are experiencing. We did not think that at such an age that we would experience this pain but our father has been incredibly selfless not only through this pandemic but his whole life ... It has been a very difficult time for our family. He has been incredibly brave. He has pushed through and the last three months have been incredibly difficult ... He has been the best dad that we could have ever asked for.

They are some of the words of Dr. Syed Waqqar Ali's daughter. If ever we needed a reminder in this House or anywhere else how devious and destructive this virus is, we have it there. We see selfless people on the front line like that doctor. He fought the virus but there are after-effects. Three months later, he has been taken. My sympathies today go to his family. He leaves a wife, five children and a mother behind, and, I am sure, other relatives as well. Looking at that interview clip, one can see the sadness in his daughter, who is just qualified as a doctor, and even more sadness on the face of his 8-year-old daughter.

I will not be judgmental but an incredible effort has been made by the majority of people on this and a small minority still wants to bring us down and open up everything, which we cannot do. We must follow the medical advice. I appreciate the pain, suffering and hurt in businesses and communities but we must stick with it. I ask the Leader in consultation with the Chair that we have a silent minute of prayer or reflection, whatever people are happy with, in this Chamber in remembrance of Dr. Syed Waqqar Ali and all who have died. We have had the rounds of applause but it would be nice to have that minute of reflection, if the House agrees, and we should consider it for today or tomorrow.