I would like to be associated to the vote of sympathy for the late Paddy Cooney. I express my condolences to his sons, Mark, who was a councillor for a number of years, Edward and Michael, his daughter Catherine and the extended Cooney family. He served in this Chamber with distinction. He was also a former Minister and MEP. May he rest in peace.

The flu season is upon us. It is mentioned on the radio every day of the week. In University Hospital Limerick, there are quite a few people within the hospital at the moment with symptoms of flu. I encourage people to go out and get the flu vaccine because I was listening to the radio the other day and heard there were over 600 people at that stage in hospitals in Ireland with the flu. It is really important that we encourage people to get their children vaccinated - the vaccine is free up to 17 years of age - because we all have maybe grandparents or aunts and uncles who are coming to our homes over Christmas. The last thing we want is that somebody would pick up the flu because it can have a serious effect, especially for people with underlying health conditions.

Last but not least, I acknowledge Councillor Gayle Ralph and her friends in the Gallery today.