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TDs and Senators fell silent today

TDs from all sides of the house stood in silence ahead of statements from the government and opposition on the attacks in the French capital last week.

Screen Shot 2015-11-17 at 3.20.11 p.m.

THE DÁIL FELL silent this afternoon as TDs paused to remember the 129 victims of the devastating terrorist attacks in Paris last Friday.

TDs from all sides of the house stood in silence ahead of statements from the government and opposition on the attacks in the French capital.

A total of 80 deputies were present for the mark of respect.

Screen Shot 2015-11-17 at 3.20.19 p.m.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny later told the Dáil that Ireland stands “in total solidarity” with the people of France.

He said these acts of violence are a “betrayal of any sense of religion or goodness.”

These attacks must be seen for what they are – an attack on the fundamental values that are held dear, not only in France but in Ireland, throughout Europe and in the democratic world.
We remain steadfast and united in our determination to counter the threat posed by global terrorism and all forms of radicalism that have at their heart the desire and intention to divide, dismantle and destroy.

Screen Shot 2015-11-17 at 3.20.35 p.m.

Tánaiste Joan Burton said that tens of thousands of Irish people have made their home in France and many French people visit Ireland every year.

“We enjoy the same rights, the same lifestyle. We share the same values. We know that the attacks on Paris are a threat to those values, which we share with our French friends and neighbours,” she told TDs.

We will stand with them as they look to deal with that threat. We will stand with them in mourning. We will stand with them as they look to fight back.

Screen Shot 2015-11-17 at 3.20.47 p.m.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said that ISIS has declared “war on our civilisation”.

He said that multiculturalism and religious freedom are “core values” that cannot be abandoned in the face of the threat the radical organisation poses.

The French ambassador to Ireland Jean-Pierre Thébault was in the Dáil visitors’ gallery along with the deputy ambassador and embassy staff as statements got underway.

Screen Shot 2015-11-17 at 3.19.08 p.m.

Earlier, the Taoiseach signed a book of condolences at the French embassy near Leinster House.

A minute’s silence was also held in the Seanad this afternoon prior to the Order of Business getting underway.

Screen Shot 2015-11-17 at 3.36.57 p.m.

The newly-elected Labour senator Mairia Cahill was among those to pay their respects.

Screen Shot 2015-11-17 at 3.37.15 p.m.

Read: How is our government responding to the Paris attacks?

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59 Comments
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    Mute Ciarán Mc Mahon
    Favourite Ciarán Mc Mahon
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    Mar 14th 2012, 11:23 AM

    Awaiting Shinnerbot response…. something about re-unification etc.

    25
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    Mute Páid Ó Donnchú
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    Mar 14th 2012, 11:30 AM

    You’d know all about autobot responses.

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    Mute Ciarán Mc Mahon
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    Mar 14th 2012, 11:46 AM

    Bingo!

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    Mute Réada Quinn
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    Mar 14th 2012, 11:56 AM

    I’m not a Shinnerbot, whatever bottoms have to do with being a Shinner I don’t know, but I think on an island this small 1 railway company is ample. Also while you’re on the subject I’d love a United Ireland. So bingo to you Ciarán. ;)

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    Mute Dermot Mc Loughlin
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    Mar 14th 2012, 12:19 PM

    Shinnerbot?
    Aye whatever, but just to entertain you you here’s a map of the current rail network, as you can see the entire border region with the exception of louth is sans rail services, this is most likely a result of partition and lazy Irish government.
    Cross border rail my eye.

    http://www.myguideireland.com/images/stories/Ireland/train_routes.jpg

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    Mute Rommel Burke
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    Mar 14th 2012, 12:55 PM

    I’d say it’s Thomas the tank engine you’re looking for there Ciarán lol. One the subject of trains I’d love to see a service into West Cork.

    12
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    Mute Mark Dolan
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    Mar 14th 2012, 11:27 AM

    Could this be an opportunity to re-open the Western Rail Corridor, from Cork to Derry? Lets hope so!

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    Mute @aidoroch
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    Mar 14th 2012, 11:59 AM

    west on track has been pushing the sligo-galway-limerick re-opening for years and struggling to get help from the government. the track is already there and there is demand for a western rail corridor re-opening but so far only part of it is operational.
    http://www.westontrack.com/

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    Mute Noel Kelly
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    Mar 14th 2012, 1:05 PM

    Definitely something needs to be done. When a ticket bought in Northern Ireland is about half the price for the same ticket bought in Dublin, there has to be something wrong with the way that the service is run

    12
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    Mute Steve Jackman
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    Mar 19th 2012, 4:04 AM

    Was on the NIR website and there is no difference in ticket prices between Dublin and Belfast.

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    Mute Ollie Pinion
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    Mar 14th 2012, 11:51 AM

    Im sure the CIE unions will have something to say about that! track usage training fees or efficiency increase compo or something of that ilk !

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    Mute Figo murphy
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    Mar 14th 2012, 1:09 PM

    Is there not a train running from up north down into Ireland?

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    Mute jimbo
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    Mar 14th 2012, 1:04 PM

    Shut up varadkar

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    Mute Robert Delahunty
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    Mar 14th 2012, 9:07 PM

    As far as I’m concerned anything that integrates the ROI further into the 6 Co’s is a good thing regardless of financial or other considerations. Its only a small thing but it will make the inevitable reunification run all the smoother. The more of these initiatives that link us with the North the better. Inch by Inch we can convince the unionists that it makes more sense to be 1 united country as is only right & proper. The more we integrate with the 6 Co’s the harder it will make for the unionists to resist reunification. After all “Money talks & Bullshit walk”

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