President Mary McAleese tonight expressed her shock at the tragic bus accident in Meath which has left five teenage girls dead.
Mrs McAleese broke off from official engagements during a trade visit to the US to speak of her distress at the "tragic loss of young life in this afternoon's dreadful accident in Co Meath".
She sent her deepest sympathy to the families and friends of those who have been bereaved. Mrs McAleese said her thoughts and prayers are also with those who have been injured.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern described the accident as an appalling tragedy.
Mr Ahern said: "It's a huge tragedy, an enormous shock to the whole country".
He said: "Obviously we send our sympathies and commiserate with the families of those who have been bereaved."
The Minister for Transport Martin Cullen said: "It is with great sadness that I learned of this evening's tragic accident.
Mr Cullen said: "Tonight our thoughts are with the children involved, their families and in particular those who have lost loved ones today."
Minister Cullen has cancelled his attendance at the European Conference of Transport Ministers in Moscow and will be returning home immediately.
The Bishop of Meath, Dr Michael Smith has called for prayers for those killed and injured in this afternoon's accident involving a school bus near Navan, Co Meath.
Dr Smith said: "No words can begin to convey the shock and sadness that people in the diocese are feeling following this afternoon's tragic accident in which five young girls tragically lost their lives.
"Neither can words adequately express the immense grief and pain being experienced by the families who have lost their young daughters.
"I offer my deepest sympathies to those bereaved. My thoughts and prayers are also with those who have been injured and with their families and friends.
Fine Gael spokesperson Olwyn Enright said: "Our thoughts are with all families who have lost loved ones in a serious accident involving a school bus in Co Meath.
"An accident of such a serious nature, involving children returning home from school, is particularly tragic."
Labour's Roisin Shortall offered her deepest sympathy to the families of those killed and to those injured in what she called today's shocking accident.
Ms Shortall said the involvement of children among the casualties made the accident all the more horrific.
Minister for Education Mary Hanafin promised the schools affected all the help she could provide.
"Her deepest sympathy goes to all those who have been bereaved and to the injured and to their families and friends," her spokesman said.
"Minister Hanafin has arranged for the National Educational Psychological Service to provide support and counselling to the schools affected from tomorrow morning."
Minister for Health Mary Harney offered her deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives and were injured in the incident.
She said her thoughts were also with the local community and insisted every medical facility and all appropriate care and counselling services required are being made available.
Fine Gael TD Damien English, who lives in Navan, said it was a horrific tragedy for the local community and he sympathised with the families.
Speaking from the scene Mr English added: "It's unbelievable. Everybody is in shock. It's a terrible waste of young life."