asked the Minister for Defence whether he has yet decided to allow the Army to be represented at Béal na Bláth at the Michael Collins commemoration on the last Sunday in August.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Béal na Bláth Commemoration.
22.
Lest it should be inferred from the Deputy's question that I have been considering whether the Defence Forces should take part officially in the ceremony referred to I wish to say that such is not the case.
As explained in reply to previous questions—the latest being Question No. 98 on 12 Márta, 1964-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.
Does the Minister say there has been no contemplation on the part of the Minister or the Government to honour the memory of Michael Collins?
That is not so.
What he said was that all people who died at that period are honoured on Easter Sunday.
Does the Minister say no special consideration has been given to honouring the memory of Michael Collins?
I have been asked a different question from the one the Deputy is now asking—whether it has been decided to allow the Army to be represented at Béal na Bláth—and I am telling him that I have looked at the decision taken previously. I regard it as a very sensible decision and I have no intention of departing from it. We honour on Easter Sunday all the men and women who took part in the struggle for independence.
I hope you are satisfied.