Taoiseach Brian Cowen today paid tribute to the sterling work carried out by personnel at Cork airport and Cork University Hospital (CUH) following the plane crash in which six people died and another six were injured.
Mr Cowen said it was important to allow the independent air investigation unit to proceed with a full investigation, with a preliminary report expected within a matter of weeks. As a Spanish aircraft was involved in the incident investigators from that country will be involved along with a team from the United Kingdom.
The Taoiseach spoke of his plans to meet the medical team at CUH, but he stressed that obviously it was necessary to give the relatives of the passengers time and space to grieve. He also paid tribute to the emergency services for their professional response to the crash.
"Today is about acknowledging the great sense of loss that people feel as a result of this incident - the first such incident I understand in relation to a commercial aircraft that has taken place at an Irish airport. The fact of the matter is that our emergency services responded very quickly and with great professionalism," Mr Cowen said.
"I met with some of those who were the first responders at the aircraft this morning and I commended them for their work, and I also spoke with the Deputy First Minister this afternoon, and they wanted me to pass on their thanks and gratitude for the work of the emergency services. We must be sensitive to those concerned and respect their grief. Today is a very sad day."
Meanwhile, the British ambassador to Ireland, Julian King, arrived at Cork airport this afternoon prior to his visit to Cork University Hospital to speak to those impacted by the crash. The ambassador said he made the journey to Cork to offer his condolences and sympathies to all involved in the incident. " The authorities here have done excellent work in very tragic circumstances," he said.
The ambassador said an advance team had already arrived and were at the hospital. "We are here to do what we can to help and assist the families who are bereaved and those who are injured. We understand a number of British citizens are involved, and that is why we are here."
The Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley, was also at the airport today. He immediately made his way to the airport once he heard about the crash and met staff there in addition to the priest who performed the last rites on the six passengers who lost their lives in the tragedy.
Dr Buckley said it was a traumatic day for relatives, staff and the people of Cork, adding it was a "miracle' that anyone survived the incident.
"There was very little we could do. There was very little we could say. I met with them all [the relatives and friends], and all we could do was offer them our prayers and support. I was amazed anyone was able to escape from it. I think it was really a miracle. We hope indeed that those who were injured will recover in the university hospital. I am hoping to call out there later this evening.
"Many people were saddened by this tragedy. The last rites would have been administered by the parish priest of the area, Fr Michael Murphy, who arrived shortly before me. He is very distressed. I feel very sorry for the staff because Cork airport has an impeccable safety record," Dr Buckley said.