Miriam Lord: Questions set aside as thoughts turn to US

Before Leaders' Questions in the Dáil yesterday morning, Micheál Martin contacted the Taoiseach and they spoke about the dreadful events in California. For the day that was in it, the Fianna Fáil leader suggested the party leaders might set aside the usual cut and thrust of the session and speak instead about the heartbreaking loss of the six Irish students who died in a freak accident while on their J-1 working holiday.

As it was, the sombre atmosphere in Leinster House already mirrored the wider mood of shock and sadness around the country with the awful news that so many vibrant and promising young lives had been so cruelly cut short.

The Taoiseach agreed to Martin’s proposal and his office suggested that the Sinn Féin leader might do the same.

Politicians are as powerless as the rest of us in the face of such tragedy, but if nothing else yesterday, they would be able to reflect the people’s sorrow in the forum of their national parliament. It mightn’t have been much, but it was something. The Tricolour flew at half mast above the building. Another small gesture.

When midday came, Martin kept his contribution brief. He said every Irish family was thinking about the students who died and those who were injured.

“These were young people who were full of the joys of life. They were talented, outgoing, caring and global in their outlook,” he said, before reading the names of the dead into the Dáil record. Other speakers would follow his lead and read the six names aloud. Another small gesture, for the sake of posterity.

Then Micheál thanked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and his officials for supporting the stricken families as they began their terrible journey to Berkeley and looking after the distressed young people in the university town of Berkeley.

He echoed the words of Philip Grant, our Consul General in San Francisco, who said "people are frozen with shock, disbelief and profound sadness at what has occurred". In the weeks to come, he hoped the State would continue the "exceptional supports" it was currently providing and make sure, in particular, that the medical needs of those who were injured and were in hospitals were monitored.

Kenny thanked the Fianna Fáil leader for his comments and for his earlier proposal about setting aside Leaders’ Questions. “I hope on the Order of Business that we can take brief comments from the leaders before suspending the House as a mark of respect.”

The Taoiseach, reflecting the thoughts of the parents of young adults, mused: "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 for young people? This tragedy could have happened in Cahirciveen, Wexford, Monaghan or anywhere but it is so far away. "

He was immediately dispatching Jimmy Deenihan, junior Minister with responsibility for the diaspora, to California "as a symbol of solidarity from the people of Ireland". Even in the midst of great sadness there can be the occasional weak smile. The thoughts of Jimmy landing stateside as "a symbol of solidarity" raised a few of them.

The exchanges between Kenny and Martin didn't take too long. "As this is not a day for normal engagement, I will simply leave the questions I raised earlier with the Taoiseach because I know they will get the attention they deserve in light of the exceptional commitment and support shown by the Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade thus far," the Fianna Fáil leader said.

Gerry Adams concurred with Martin and said he would address the matter later during the Order of Business. He then moved on to the closure of Clerys store and the role played by vulture capitalists.

During the Order of Business, there were statements from the Tánaiste Joan Burton and Adams, with Finian McGrath representing the technical group and Renua leader Lucinda Creighton speaking on behalf of "the non-aligned".

Martin said the J-1 programme brought to mind “opportunity, a summer of fun and happiness, the beckoning of new eras and relationships. It is important that our parliament reflects that and has the capacity to show understanding and empathy with our young people who are grieving.”

Adams described the tragedy as “a dreadful and stark reminder of the fragility and uncertainty of life, especially when the victims were so young, vibrant and full of possibility and potential. It is little wonder that there has been an outpouring of grief, sympathy and solidarity for all those affected. It is cliché to say it, but this tragedy is a parent’s worst nightmare.”

Burton recalled "the excitement of travelling to the United States for the summer as a J-1 student. I know what the J-1 experience is meant to be, a rite of passage, an opportunity to gain valuable life and cultural experience in a country, the United States, that is dear to all our hearts. For a lot of young people, it is a summer of love and a summer of fun.

“When we look at the faces of the deceased in the snapshots on social media and in the newspapers, it brings home to everybody what those days are meant to be.” At times like this, words, she said, wash away like water.

They weren’t much, but at least they were something.