Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Travelling into Dublin this morning, I listened to Chief Imam Dr. Umar Al-Qadri, chairperson of the Muslim council, speak about the horrific attack he underwent last Thursday evening. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I condemn the attack which shows a clear need for the hate legislation to come back before the House to be dealt with.

I also mention the death of the Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, a vocal critic of President Putin. Mr. Navalny died last Friday in a Siberian penal colony. He was a brave and courageous political leader who put democracy and the democratic values we hold dear in these Houses ahead of his own safety and well-being. As we know, he was a strong and consistent critic of the Russian regime. Many of us find it hard to believe that he died from sudden death syndrome. Given reports that the Russian authorities are holding Mr. Navalny's body for two weeks for chemical analysis, it is likely we will never know the true cause of his death. His wife has shown incredible bravery by staying at the security conference in Munich. Yulia has accused Putin of killing her husband. She too is bravely standing up to the Russian regime in doing so. It is important that we all remember Navalny, acknowledge his huge role in advancing the cause of democracy and take this opportunity to again denounce the cruel, brutal, barbaric and authoritarian Moscow regime.