Before we enter upon the business on the Order Paper, I am sure that the Seanad would desire to be associated with the expressions of sympathy which have already been tendered on behalf of the Dáil and the Government and people of this country to the Government and people of the United States.
The death of such an outstanding personality would at any time be a loss to the world, but occurring at this juncture, the death of President Roosevelt can only be regarded as a calamity. Humanity will miss his clarity of view and his leadership in the period which will follow the conclusion of hostilities.
This is not the place or the occasion to pay tribute to his work for his own people who had honoured him by electing him four times as their President. It has been said of him that "he did his job to the very end". No man could wish for a more fitting epitaph.
In expressing our sympathy with the American people we should like to express in particular our sympathy with the President's family.
I desire to move:—
That Seanad Eireann extends its deep sympathy to the Government and people of the United States of America in the great loss they have sustained in the death of President Roosevelt.