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Seanad
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Nurses and Notre Dame

Summary

Senator Devine supported the amendment, wished Members an early Easter, and referred to the nurses’ pay deal and Margaret Keogh. The Cathaoirleach then offered condolences on the Notre Dame fire and reiterated the scale of the loss.

I support the amendment to the Order of Business. As Easter is almost upon us I wish everyone here a happy Easter. I will be here for the next two days but may not be able to be at the Order of Business. Senator Ó Ríordáin spoke about nurses. The deal that has been done is being put before the nurses by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, and the Psychiatric Nurses Association, PNA, to see whether it will be accepted and whether they will agree to call off the industrial action they are entitled to take.

Easter is almost here, and I pay tribute to nurse Margaret Keogh, who was the first casualty of the 1916 Rising in the South Dublin union, now St. James' Hospital. I will also pay tribute, as I do every year, to nurse Elizabeth O'Farrell, who surrendered on behalf of the Irish Citizen Army on Moore Street. It is important to recognise the rebel nurses we have had and still have in the country.

Comment on this
David P.B. Norris Senator David Norris Independent

Except that they were rebels and traitors.

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Denis O'Donovan An Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

Before I call the Leader to respond, I would like to be associated with the expressions of sympathy and remorse in terms of the terrible fire that took place in Paris late yesterday evening and this morning. As Cathaoirleach I met Ms Hélène Conway-Mouret, who is Vice President of the French Senate, and expressed on behalf of all Senators here the concern of this State.

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David P.B. Norris Senator David Norris Independent

Well done.

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Denis O'Donovan An Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

As has been said, this is not just a loss to France but a loss for the whole of Europe and the entire world. More than 800 years of history has gone up in flames, and it is very sad. As Senator Norris said, some of the medieval architecture-----

Comment on this
David P.B. Norris Senator David Norris Independent

I referred to the medieval glass.

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Denis O'Donovan An Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

-----can never be replaced. I want to put that on the record.

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