Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)

On behalf of the Fine Gael Party, I also offer our sincere condolences on the passing of Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy, who did amazing work as my colleague Senator O'Loughlin has mentioned.

On behalf of the party, I congratulate Catherine Connolly on her Presidency. I would like to quote Heather Humphreys, who I thought was amazing in her defeat. She said Catherine Connolly would be President for us all, and that she will. We all look forward to working with her.

Last week, an horrendous event happened whereby an IPAS centre in Drogheda was set on fire with people in it, including a three-week-old baby. Firefighters rescued five people, including this baby, from the top floor of the building in the town's George's Street area. As a result of the blaze, 28 residents are now homeless. The Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, condemned the attack and said there were women and children just going about their daily lives and now their safety must be our utmost concern. These are people; they are human beings. When explaining this to my ten-year-old daughter last Sunday morning while watching the news, in her total innocence she asked whether we were not all here to share the Earth. Whatever our feelings are on people coming into this country, we have to condemn in this House what happened.

Following this, I would like to ask the Minister with responsibility for immigration or the Minister with responsibility for communications to discuss social media's impact on the rhetoric of these types of situations. It is reported that one in four people has fake social media accounts. People believe so much of what they read online and for many it is their only source of information. What are either of these Ministers doing to ensure that truthful information is communicated? The Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, himself recognises this but it is very important to listen to the people who are scared and the many who are confused. I would really welcome an opportunity to discuss this and help bring about calm in our towns and villages throughout the country.It is important that social media companies take account of the information spread on platforms, as well as the hate that is spread. I wish all the people from that centre the very best for the coming weeks.