Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join with others in honouring the memory of Councillor Noel Collins. I knew him a long time. He was one of the last of that generation of hard-working councillors who did all their work with a pencil and notebook and delivered a great service to their constituents. He was a very hard man to canvass because he was never at home. He was always out working for the people. Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.

I join with Senator Keogan in expressing my horror at the shootings in the Catholic church in Nigeria. It was one of the worst atrocities we have seen in a long time. It is a country we have had a lot of association with over the decades because of our Catholic missionaries. There is hardly a parish in Ireland where someone does not have a relative, either a priest or a nun, who toiled in the mission fields of Nigeria. In fact, the church in question was built by Irish priests and brothers. I was disappointed with the general reporting on the issue in our media and politically. It seems we reserve our horror for things that involve Israel or the Americans. It amazes me. It was very unfortunate that the bishop was upset by the comments made by President Higgins. I will not criticise our President because that is not my function but it is sad that the Catholic bishop and some of his colleagues were upset by the comments that were made. Everyone in Ireland stands in solidarity with the people of Nigeria.

The Good Friday Agreement is coming under threat from all sides because of the duplicity and bloody-mindedness of the British, but also because of intransigence from loyalists and opportunism from the extreme republicans who will continue to use the North as their political football to game both sides, North and South. It is very fitting at this time that the Taoiseach unveiled the bust of the great John Hume in Strasbourg only last week. If one had to single out one person, John Hume was more responsible than anyone else for the Good Friday Agreement. He proved that one can earn a place at the negotiating table without shooting people, bombing people or killing innocent women and children. He delivered more than anybody else.