Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Feb 1965

Vol. 214 No. 6

Return of Remains of Roger Casement —Statement by the Taoiseach.

The Taoiseach

A Cheann Comhairle, I beg leave to make the following statement, for the information of the House.

I am very glad to announce to the Dáil that I have been informed by the British Prime Minister that his Government have recently decided to meet out request for the repatriation of the remains of Roger Casement.

As Deputies are aware, it was Casement's express wish that he should have his final resting place in Ireland, and it has long been the desire of the people of Ireland, shared by successive Irish Governments, that this wish be fulfilled.

Mr. Wilson has generously responded to my representations in this matter, and I wish to record, therefore, the Government's deep satisfaction at his decision, which will render possible the fulfilment of Roger Casement's wish. This decision, coming as it does so soon after the centenary of Roger Casement's birth, will, I am sure, be universally welcomed as yet another step towards the establishment of the closest and most friendly relations between the two countries.

Arrangements have been made with the British Government for the transfer of the remains to Dublin to-day. The Government have decided that the remains should be re-interred in the burial plot in Glasnevin Cemetery selected by Roger Casement's sister, Mrs. Newman.

Mr. Dillon

On that statement, I think it proper that I should be given an opportunity of saying——

An Ceann Comhairle

There is not anything before the House.

Mr. Dillon

Surely it is proper that suitable observations should be made from this side of the House——

An Ceann Comhairle

That is not the practice when a statement is made by permission.

Mr. Dillon

It is necessary to say on behalf of my Party that this is a gesture——

An Ceann Comhairle

I do not want a precedent to be established. If I allow Deputy Dillon to proceed, half a dozen other Deputies will wish to speak.

Mr. Dillon

I suppose I occupy some position in the House as Leader of the Opposition, and I think I ought to say——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is making a statement against the express wish of the Chair.

Mr. Dillon

——that this is a gesture which will be appreciated by our people and it is something which I on behalf of the Fine Gael Party welcome. I am glad that the representations of successive Governments have reached this satisfactory conclusion.

Mr. Corish

I must say I assumed there would be some words of welcome of the statement from both the Fine Gael Party and the Labour Party, and I am very pleased to welcome it on behalf of the Labour Party and the labour movement in general. I welcome this decision by the British Government to have the remains of Sir Roger Casement repatriated. Sir Roger Casement lived, worked and died for justice for the poor and underprivileged, not alone of this country but of many parts of the world. It is indeed a very happy occasion for us to know that repeated requests for the return of his remains have at last been acceded to. On an occasion such as this, one is wont to recall the words of the poet Yeats who said: "It is high time that justice was done to this most gallant gentleman." May I conclude, therefore, by saying that I trust all Irish men and women will give suitable honour to the memory of Sir Roger Casement on 1st March.