A Chinn Chomhairle, I think it is but fitting that at this, the first meeting of Dáil Éireann since the death of His Excellency the Most Reverend Dr. Paschal Robinson, I should ask you, in the name of Dáil Éireann, to convey to His Holiness the Pope the profound sympathy of this House on the death of the late Apostolic Nuncio.
I am sure that Dáil Éireann would wish that, in doing so, you should assure the Holy Father of the deep respect and affection in which the saintly character of the late Nuncio, his great intellectual attainments and his deep knowledge and understanding of this country and of its people caused him to be held amongst us.
The President and the Government, both in their own names and in the name of the people, have already conveyed to the Holy Father expressions of their profound condolence. I know that I am anticipating the desire of this branch of the Legislature in requesting you to associate the Dáil with the other expressions of sympathy that have been offered to His Holiness on the passing of a great and distinguished churchman.
Deputies rose in their places.