andMr. Begley asked the Taoiseach why no ceremonies were organised at Government level to mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Anglo-Irish Treaty Commemoration.
6.
It was decided by the Government that the event for which there should be a special State commemoration in relation to the year 1921 was the Anglo-Irish Truce of that year, and the 50th anniversary of the Truce was duly commemorated in July, 1971.
As the Deputies are aware, a commemoration took place on the 21st January, 1969, of the 50th anniversary of the first meeting of the First Dáil Éireann, an event which is generally regarded as marking the establishment of the State.
Does the Taoiseach not admit that due to the narrow-mindedness of the Government they are not prepared to honour the architects, the founders of this State, men like Griffith and Collins?
The question relates to commemoration of the signing of the Treaty.
That is what is at the back of your minds all the time. You have never paid tribute to those two great men. You are jealous of them and have never given them their place in Irish history.
Where was the Taoiseach on Sunday?
We have suggested a ceremony to do honour to all those who died in the Civil War. That would include Collins and Griffith.
They were national figures.
This is something that has been alleged against me. When this matter was discussed about a year ago I referred to Arthur Griffith as being a Civil War figure. It was alleged against me that I said the same of Michael Collins. I did not say the same of Michael Collins but had I done so I would not have in any way felt I was denigrating either Griffith or Collins because I would equally refer to Seán Lemass and Éamon de Valera as Civil War figures.
(Cavan): Does the Taoiseach not accept that the Treaty was, in fact, the effective instrument through which this State was set up and through which every development in our national progress has been made?
This is enlarging the substance of the question.
They split the national movement.
(Cavan): Does the Taoiseach not think that that being so he should have commemorated it and that at least when he was speaking in London on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the instrument he should have made a reference to it? No answer?
They are trying to split your own party now.
The Deputy is worried about that, I am sure.
(Interruptions.)