Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today led expressions of sympathy in the Dail to the families of the five schoolgirls killed in the crash in Kentstown, Co Meath.
Mr Ahern began an all-party debate on the safety of school buses by expressing condolences to the bereaved families.
He said: "Yesterday, five young girls left their parents and homes to go to school.
"It was probably a normal day like any other school day. But it was not to be for long. Those young women were never to return to their parents and to their homes alive again."
"It's a tragedy shared by their schoolmates who were on that last fateful bus journey with them," he added.
Offering sympathies on behalf of the Fine Gael party, Enda Kenny said: "I pray for comfort and healing for the hearts and lives that are broken in Meath and beyond."
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said he hoped the causes of the accident would be thoroughly investigated and the findings would be implemented.
"But we don't know at this stage whether any safety precautions would have avoided this terrible accident."
Mr Rabbitte offered a speedy recovery to the 16 injured youngsters still in hospital. Green Party leader Trevor Sargent said he spoke to Ruairi O'Byrne - a son of Co Meath Green party councillor Fergal - who survived the crash.
"His words to me were that he wished he had been at home all of yesterday to avoid the scenes of what happened," Mr Sargent said.
Sinn Fein leader Caoimhghin O Caolain expressed sympathy to the bereaved and praised the emergency services. He said it would be a traumatic time for students, especially coming up to exam time.
Socialist Party leader Joe Higgins said the girls who died had relatives all around the country who were feeling their loss today.
A remembrance mass was held this morning at St Mary's Church in Navan for the five schoolgirls who died in yesterday's horrific bus crash.
Students from the four affected schools were among the congregation.
Archbishop Robin Eames sent a message of sympathy this morning to the Bishop of Meath, Dr Michael Smith, on behalf of the Church of Ireland.
"I want to extend to you our deepest sympathy and prayers on the tragic loss of young people's lives yesterday. Our prayers are with the relatives and friends and those who are so badly injured," he said.
Dr Smith called for prayers for those killed and injured in yesterday's accident.
"I call on people across the diocese to unite in prayer for the young victims and their families, for the injured and their families and for the teachers and students from the schools affected by this tragedy," he said.
Asti president Susie Hall and General Secretary John White also extended their sympathies to the families, students and teachers bereaved by yesterday's tragedy in Navan.
"Sudden bereavement has an enormous and profound impact on a school community. Our thoughts are with all those bereaved. We know that the school community will come together and do all they can for those who must come to terms with this tragic event," they said.
Students from the four affected schools were among the congregation.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
Archbishop Robin Eames sent a message of sympathy this morning to the Bishop of Meath, Dr Michael Smith, on behalf of the Church of Ireland.
"I want to extend to you our deepest sympathy and prayers on the tragic loss of young people's lives yesterday. Our prayers are with the relatives and friends and those who are so badly injured," he said.
Dr Smith called for prayers for those killed and injured in yesterday's accident.
"I call on people across the diocese to unite in prayer for the young victims and their families, for the injured and their families and for the teachers and students from the schools affected by this tragedy," he said.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today led expressions of sympathy in the Dail to the families of the five schoolgirls killed in the crash in Kentstown, Co Meath.
Mr Ahern began an all-party debate on the safety of school buses by expressing condolences to the bereaved families.
He said: "Yesterday, five young girls left their parents and homes to go to school.
"It was probably a normal day like any other school day. But it was not to be for long. Those young women were never to return to their parents and to their homes alive again."
"It's a tragedy shared by their schoolmates who were on that last fateful bus journey with them," he added.
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent also extended his sympathy to the families of those involved. "The loss of human life is always shocking and particularly tragic when young children are affected," he said.
Labour party spokesperson on education Jan O'Sullivan expressed her sympathy to the families of the bereaved. "My immediate thoughts are with the families of all those who died and to the survivors of this horrific crash. There are very few
words that can be said to them at this time to ease their pain and suffering, however they should know that the thoughts of the entire country are with them," she said.
Asti president Susie Hall and General Secretary John White also extended their sympathies to the families, students and teachers bereaved by yesterday's tragedy in Navan.
"Sudden bereavement has an enormous and profound impact on a school community. Our thoughts are with all those bereaved. We know that the school community will come together and do all they can for those who must come to terms with this tragic event," they said.