Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Bearing in mind what my esteemed colleague has said, right across both Houses and cross-party we are all utterly heartbroken with the scenes we are seeing. There is a sense of helplessness. We are all calling for a humanitarian ceasefire, for aid into Gaza and for the hostages to be released. I have written to the Leader to ask if it would be appropriate that we in this House would organise our own vigil. It would be important to show solidarity. I am waiting for a response on that but it would be something that we would all agree, that would be appropriate and that we could do.

Our thoughts are also with Sarah and Jack Corbett this morning. Justice has been somewhat served. We have all been following it and we could not comment, but I was struck by the dignity of those two young people in the face of everything they have lost. We wish them well in life and in their journey ahead.

This month is Bereaved Siblings Month. It is a time dedicated to acknowledging the unique pain and sorrow experienced by siblings who lose a brother or a sister prematurely. Losing a brother or a sister is a challenging and difficult time. This month aims to create awareness, support and resources for bereaved siblings to cope with their grief. We all know people who are in this situation. When one knows somebody from birth, he or she is part of one's life and part of one's story. It is difficult. We are thinking of all of those who have lost a sibling today.

As Chair of the all-party Oireachtas group on dementia, I want to focus on Mahon Point in Cork. It has just introduced the first dementia-friendly shopping centre in Ireland. All of the staff have gone through training. It is important so that those with dementia and their families can have a positive shopping experience. We will be having a meeting next Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. in relation to this experience. To show all of the Oireachtas Members how we can make our own towns and communities dementia friendly, I am doing it in Newbridge. I am aware many others are doing it. I would like to extend that invitation to everybody to come.

The last issue I want to raise is the use of CCTV cameras to combat illegal dumping. It also can be used to combat antisocial behaviour. On Hallowe'en night, I was shocked to see some of the videos emerging from my own home town of Rathangan. There was really scary and shocking behaviour. I understand that the Act, which was passed last year, requires the Local Government Management Agency, LGMA, to draw up and submit a code of practice for the use of CCTV by local authorities. However, a year and a half after the Act became law, we still have no code of practice. It is important that we write to the LGMA to say we need this. Our local authorities need it.