Every Irish family is thinking about the families of the students who were tragically killed in Berkeley yesterday. A further seven students were injured and are receiving care in various hospitals. They were young people who were full of the joys of life. They were talented, outgoing, caring and global in their outlook, as revealed this morning by the principal of one of the students. The bereaved parents are either on their way or have arrived in Berkeley to identify their loved ones. I acknowledge the excellent work being done by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and his officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade who have a long tradition of looking after Irish people abroad when the need arises. They will continue to go beyond the call of duty to support the families of the deceased, Eimear Walsh, Eoghan Culligan, Ashley Donohoe, Niccolai Schuster, Olivia Burke and Lorcan Miller. That is the way it should be.

The US ambassador, Mr. Kevin O'Malley, has described the J1 programme as an essential ingredient of the unique and flourishing relationship between Ireland and the United States. That is why our consul general in San Francisco, Mr. Philip Grant, stated yesterday that people were frozen with shock, disbelief and a profound sadness at what had occurred. In that context, it is important that other students with J1 visas be given access to support and counselling. More than one third of the 8,000 students with J1 visas are in California. I was glad to hear the president of UCD confirm this morning that the university's office in San Francisco was in contact with students.

It is important in the coming period, after the initial shock and sadness pass, that support, including the exceptional supports the Minister and his Department are providing, continue to be offered. It is particularly important that the medical needs of those who were injured and are in hospital be monitored. As a state, we must ensure every possible assistance is given to the families of those who were injured and are in need of medical care. In the weeks and months ahead that support will continue to be necessary. May I take it that the exceptional support given thus far by the Department and the universities will endure over a longer period in order that everyone will be looked after to the greatest extent possible?

I thank the Deputy for his comments and the proposal he made this morning. The flags of the country are flying at half mast as a mark of respect and sympathy to the families of the bereaved. I hope that on the Order of Business we can hear brief comments from the leaders before suspending the sitting of the House as a mark of respect. When we look at the newspapers this morning, do we not see the faces of our own sons and daughters as they start the great adventure of life? This tragedy could have happened in Cahersiveen, Wexford, Monaghan or anywhere else, but it happened so far way. It impacted on the immediate families, young people and the many thousands of J1 visa holders to whom the Deputy referred.

I thank the Deputy for his comments about the Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan. The support provided through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue and specialist counselling and support will be provided, where necessary. I propose to send the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for the diaspora, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, to Berkeley as a symbol of solidarity with the people of Ireland. This is not in any way intended to overlook the great work being done by the consul general in San Francisco, Mr. Philip Grant, in providing a presence for the Government.

As Deputy Micheál Martin pointed out, the families of the six young people whose lives were tragically taken in this accident are in our thoughts and prayers. With the indulgence of the House, after I propose the Order of Business, we might hear short comments from the leaders and then suspend the sitting of the House for a period of time.

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply and welcome his decision to ask the Minister of State, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, to travel to the United States to show our solidarity and support, as well as to convey our gratitude to the emergency personnel for their work. As this is not a day on which to have normal engagement, I will leave the questions I raised earlier with the Taoiseach because I know that they will receive the attention they deserve in the light of the exceptional commitment and support shown by the Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade thus far. I again thank the Taoiseach for his reply.

These efforts will continue. I thank the Deputy for his comments.