I join with my colleagues in paying tribute to Chuck Feeney, who did so much not only for education but also for peace initiatives on this island. He supported everything he did quietly and without looking for recognition or publicity. He championed the idea of giving while living and, in many ways, got a lot more people who had a lot of money, including billionaires around the world, to follow his example. For that, we in Ireland, especially those who benefited from his concept of giving while living, should be forever grateful for his service not only to this country but to humanity in general.

I also join with my colleagues in respect of what happened last Saturday and what is now happening in Israel and Palestine. The crimes committed last Saturday and the statements being made now will only bring more death and destruction. I say this because we have seen this happen over and over again, not just down through the decades, but down through the centuries. There is a need now for there to be less war and violence, for the people who have been kidnapped and taken hostage to be released and for everyone to take a step back. Escalation has been promised by some and this is the last thing needed in Palestine and Israel.

I wish to be associated with the remarks to the late Chuck Feeney who, through The Atlantic Philanthropies, not only changed Irish life by his, as Senator Byrne said, "giving while living" approach, but transformed the lives of so many people through higher education in the North and indeed, in social policy, in particular around marriage equality and his support of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, GLEN, at the time. We thank him for his work and his commitment to Ireland and we extend to his family our deepest sympathies.