asked the Minister for Finance whether, in the light of his speech at Kilmainham, Dublin, on 18th June, 1973, he will confirm that it is the policy of the Government to ban the use of patriots' names in giving titles to public buildings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Building Titles.
100.
Mr. Kenny
The fulfilment of the modern, progressive and expansionary policies of the Government do not call for bans of the kind contemplated by the Deputy. At the same time, there seems little purpose in applying to a building like a computer centre somebody's name merely to commemorate events that have little bearing on the building's function or present day life.
Was it because the suggestion was made that this building should be named after a great Irishman that the Minister made that statement? If a patriot is a saint is his name also banned from a church? The Minister was quite definite that the Government agreed with him.
Mr. Kenny
I believe the Minister on that occasion was only citing his own personal opinion.
No. I will quote him from the Cork Examiner.
Quotations are not in order at Question Time.
It is just to show what the Minister was thinking.
The Deputy may not give a quotation at Question Time.
I am trying to be helpful to the Parliamentary Secretary. This was a most amazing statement from the Minister. May I read it, with your permission?
No. Quotations are not in order.
Give the effect?
The effect was that the Minister did not think that we should name every building after a dead patriot and the Government agreed with his view. It is like the French banning the name of Joan of Arc.
I am sure no such thing was said in the statement.
We cannot have statements at Question Time.
The Minister does not know what is going on. He is in France all the time. He should stay in the country more often.
I must draw attention to the statement by the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries who said that the Cabinet did not discuss it. It was implied that the Minister for Finance was telling lies.
The Deputy is making a statement.
He stated that the Cabinet agreed with his viewpoint but the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries said that it was not discussed.
We cannot have statements at Question Time.
Am I to take it that the Parliamentary Secretary is prepared with equanimity to contemplate a situation in the future in which people of the city of Dublin may never visualise a Charles J. Haughey memorial building?
In view of the confusion arising from the answer and the general dissatisfaction with it, I propose, with your permission, to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
As the Deputy is aware, it may not be raised this afternoon. It is after time.
Next Tuesday or Wednesday.
The Deputy may raise it on Tuesday, which is the next sitting day.