Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to be associated with the vote of sympathy on the death of Councillor John Naughten. I express my deepest sympathies to his family. I was there last week. I am certainly thinking of them all at this very sad time.

It is 16 October, which is significant for two reasons. One is the Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy Awareness Day. It is thought that more 130 deaths have happened as a result of epilepsy. I wish Epilepsy Ireland well in its national campaign calling for the development of a national strategy to reduce unexpected deaths in epilepsy. It is a cause that is well deserved and that I support. I pledge my support to it.

As we head into the autumn rugby internationals, today also marks the eighth anniversary of the death of Anthony "Axel" Foley. Irish people were at the France versus Ireland match when this horrific death took place. He died way too soon. He would have been 50 years of age today. I am thinking of Olive, his children, his sister Rosie and his parents on this day, as well as the wider rugby community. He had such an impact, not only on his club members in Shannon but also on Munster and Ireland. He affected the lives of so many people and gave great encouragement to young people growing up, through playing sport, especially in the rugby tradition. I am thinking of them all on this sad day.