asked the Minister for Defence if a Government decision was made denying permission to the Army to pay tribute to their former Commander-in-Chief at Béal na Bláth each year; and, if so, the date the decision was made, and the reason why it was made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Béal na Bláth Commemoration.
98.
It is entirely inappropriate to present this matter, as the Deputy does, in terms of permission being denied to the Defence Forces to engage in a particular activity.
The military command of the Forces is exercisable by the Government and, subject to such exceptions and limitations as the Government may from time to time determine, through and by the Minister for Defence.
As stated in reply to questions on 30th October, 1957 and 2nd July, 1959, it has been decided that, in order to avoid the difficulties which would arise in selecting individual anniversaries in commemorating which the State might participate, a special day, Easter Sunday, should be set apart on which the State should celebrate the securing of independence and honour all who took part in the struggle to achieve it. The only variation of this decision is the annual State commemoration at Arbour Hill for those who died in 1916.