Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today, 38 years ago, two brave Irish men died in the line of duty serving and protecting us. We remember trainee Garda Gary Sheehan and Private Patrick Kelly and we thank them and their families for their service. It behoves all of us who aspire to and want to have a united Ireland that we stand up and represent all of our people. On this most sacred day for those families, it is incumbent on members of the Sinn Féin Party here today to condemn the video that Gerry Adams performed on in the past number of days. It does nothing to achieve the goal of all of us who want to have a united Ireland.

We remember also a man who died on this day in 1971, the late General Richard Mulcahy, Chief of Staff of the Volunteers in the 1916 Rising. Look at the legacy that he left. We remember him and thank him today for his service.

Our Covid-19 vaccine programme is now ranked eighth in the world. We thank the men and women of our health service, together with the workers in the vaccination centres, our pharmacists and doctors.

I ask the Acting Leader to arrange a debate in the new year again on cybersecurity. There has been an attack today on the Coombe hospital. This is a worrying development again so soon after the attack that brought the whole HSE to a halt. It is incumbent upon us to have that debate.

On a more positive note, I wish the Cathaoirleach, all the Members of the House and the staff of Leinster House a very happy Christmas and, as Senator Conway has said, a safe one.