Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)

I also welcome our special guests from Iceland. I was privileged to be there for the fourth summit of the Council of Europe. I was the rapporteur, so I worked closely with my colleagues on PACE. I had a wonderful and interesting time, and had the privilege of meeting Vigdís Finnbogadóttir a few times, the first female president in the world. We all have a lot to learn from her. They are welcome.

Sunday was a day of two halves. We woke to the shocking and horrific news of five young people killed on their way for a night out to celebrate and enjoy themselves. We heard more about these five young people - Chloe McGee, Alan McCluskey, Dylan Commins, Shay Duffy and Chloe Hibson. We heard about their dreams and the roles they were already playing within their families and communities. Our prayers and sympathies go to the parents and the community. Our thoughts are also with the three who were injured in this horrific and tragic accident. Our thoughts and gratitude go to the first responders and to the gardaí who came to the scene. It must have been horrific for them. Listening to some of the local priests, teachers and principals on the airwaves over the last 48 hours, it has been really tragic, and we all feel for them.

Then just after lunch we had that match, and we had Troy Parrott and the Irish team. What an incredible match. What an incredible score. If the presidential election were on in the morning and we could get Troy Parrott's name on the ballot paper, there is no doubt that he would be elected. Our huge congratulations go to Troy and the Irish team, and we wish them well next March when they advance to the next stage.

I finished Sunday evening in the Curragh at the invitation of the Defence Forces, who had the most wonderful concert in aid of ONE, the Curragh Lourdes Fund and the family resource centre in the Curragh.

It is also important to mark the first World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day. A new report forecasts that Ireland is on track to eliminate cervical cancer within 15 years. That is quite incredible. As we know, cervical screening is not a test for cancer, but it can help prevent the disease by detecting cell changes before they become dangerous. A new test has been designed for women at home who do not want the invasiveness of going to a doctor.

I will also mention lung cancer. It is the deadliest cancer in Ireland, leading to approximately 1,900 deaths per year.That number is expected to grow because it is linked with population and ongoing tobacco-related issues. This week, Ireland launched its first white ribbon for lung cancer campaign, symbolising hope and awareness. I commend Samantha Vaughan, a Kildare women now living in Borris-in-Ossory, who is a lung cancer survivor who never smoked. I wish her well in rolling out an awareness programme in schools, shops and communities.