Speaking on Newstalk on Saturday morning after a number of attacks in Paris that claimed the lives of at least 120 people, Taoiseach Enda Kenny described the attacks as "an abomination".
The Taoiseach stated that the incidents of Friday night were "an abomination, it's an absolutely horrendous attack on the citizens of Paris, on France and on the citizens of the free world".
"This is one of the worst atrocities over very many years, and obviously will have serious implications both for vigilance and for the authorities," he added.
He further stated that "on behalf of the people of Ireland our sympathies are with the French President and the French people after this appalling and utterly evil act".
As presenter Sarah Carey noted, these acts of violence were carried out on regular people, and there doesn't seem to be a specific target. Mr. Kenny responded that "the same has applied in countries where similar acts have taken place, where perfectly innocent people have been caught in the crossfire".
Speaking about the balance between security and freedom of movement throughout Europe, he said that the migration argument "is one for further discussion later" but that "clearly the terrorist planning of this would be to disrupt free movement".
The Taoiseach highlighted that "you can't have a situation where that freedom of movement becomes restricted because of a senseless terrorist act like this."
However, he stated that "the immediate thing is that sense of loss and pain for the French citizens and those innocent people from other countries" who have been caught up in the attacks.
Speaking about a response in Ireland, he said "we don't have any evidence to suggest that there should be emergency meetings here, but obviously this is a matter that is kept under review on consistent basis. For now, the immediate impact is on France, is on Paris".
He dubbed the events of last night "the blackest of Fridays" and "a senseless act of murder and mayhem".
You can listen to the full interview with the Taoiseach below:
