asked the Minister for Defence if his participation at the recent National Day of Commemoration ceremonies was sanctioned by the Government prior to the occasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - National Day of Commemoration.
31.
I attended an ecumenical service of remembrance and reconciliation in St. Patrick' Cathedral, Dublin, on 10 November along with representatives of the main Churches and diplomats of many countries, including those on opposite sides during the two World Wars. My attendance or, indeed, that of anybody else, does not require Government sanction.
Can the Minister indicate whether he as an individual or as Minister for Defence was invited to attend and whether his Government colleagues were invited as individuals or as Ministers? Would he not see his presence there as being in conflict with his position as Minister for Defence, since he was attending ceremonies basically politically motivated by an organisation supported by the Government of another state?
I received an invitation to attend which I accepted. I presume those of my colleagues who also attended received similar invitations.
As a Minister of the Government.
The invitation was addressed to Patrick Cooney, TD, Minister for Defence, which is the normal form of invitations which come to my office for all sorts of functions. I accepted it. The Deputy's suggestion that this was somehow a political occasion is most reprehensible. As I said in my reply, this was an ecumenical service of remembrance and reconciliation organised by the British Legion in Ireland, which is essentially a charitable organisation which helps many needy fellow countrymen of Deputy Treacy and myself and dispenses a lot of funds for charitable purposes in this jurisdiction. I make no apology for attending a service of remembrance and reconciliation. I regret the attempt being made by the Deputy in his question to turn a religious service of remembrance into an occasion of political controversy.
I do not want to bring any political controversy into this. I am asking the question as Opposition spokesman and it is my duty and right to do so. Was it a Government decision that members of the Government would attend? Does the Minister or do his colleagues see any conflict in their presence there, in view of the fact that an all-party committee of this House has decided on a national day of commemoration?
It was not a Government decision because the matter does not require Government sanction. I do not see any conflict between attending that service this year and the fact that a national day of commemoration is planned for next year.