Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)

I add my condolences on the passing of Sr. Stan. She was a remarkable woman and her legacy will live on for many years.

I will also speak about what happened in my hometown of Drogheda with the arson attack at the IPAS centre. Like many right-thinking people, I am repulsed and very heartbroken at what happened on our doorsteps.My first thoughts are with the victims. One of the local councillors, Councillor Ejiro O'Hare Stratton, has visited the victims. They are doing well, thank goodness, but they are shocked. I also pay tribute to the emergency services who went into that building. They wanted to save the 28 people, who as far as they knew were in there. I also thank the many people who asked how they can help.

These people came to Ireland for sanctuary and instead they found themselves possibly in more danger than the perilous situation they left in their home countries. This is not representative of Drogheda. The vast majority of people are absolutely appalled.

I am not going to comment on that vile creature who carried out the action. It is the subject of a Garda investigation and I want to let that happen. Somebody knows who that is. We all saw the video. They know his demeanour and clothing and possibly his vile rhetoric. Please contact the local Garda. We need to get this person off our streets and out of our community.

I agree also with my colleague, Senator Nelson Murray, about the role of social media in this respect. I would welcome such a debate. I would also welcome a debate with the justice Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, on the future of IPAS centres because we need to look at what is happening within our communities and the safety and security of people who are in these centres. We need to make sure that they are safe, going forward.