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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1988

Vol. 377 No. 7

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Millennium.

11.

asked the Minister for Defence if the organisers of the Dublin Millennium celebrations requested his Department to assist with a special Easter Week commemoration; the response of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

(Limerick West): No request has been received by my Department from the organisers of the Dublin Millennium celebrations for assistance with a special Easter Week commemoration.

I am surprised at the Minister's reply. The main organiser of the Dublin Millennium reported to Dublin City Council that he had sought the participation of the Department of Defence in the millennium celebrations. Would the Minister agree that Easter Week, 1916, was a most important historical event that took place in Dublin city? In view of this, does he not agree that a special attempt should be made to commemorate the Rising, with the traditional military parade as part of the millennium celebrations? Would he consider doing this on that occasion?

(Limerick West): First, the answer to the Deputy's question is that no request has been received by my Department from the organisers of the Dublin Millennium celebrations for assistance in relation to a special Easter Week commemoration. That is not to say that there have not been requests from time to time to my Department with regard to other assistance which has been readily available. In October 1987, I took the liberty of writing to the Lord Mayor indicating that my Department would cooperate in the millennium celebrations in whatever way was possible. Any application for assistance up to now has been dealt with on its merits.

In reply to the Deputy's other question, it is not a matter for my Department to decide as to whether there should be an Easter Week celebration to commemorate the 1916 Rising. That has been already decided on by an all-party committee and has been accepted generally by all as suitable.

Notwithstanding what was decided by an all-party committee, would the Minister agree that as part of the millennium celebrations in Dublin this is a unique occasion, that the 1916 Rising was perhaps the most significant historical event that took place in Dublin city? In view of this and on this special occasion there is a unique responsibility to commemorate the Rising as part of the millennium celebrations. Will the Minister reconsider his position on the possibility of the traditional military parade strictly on this occasion as part of the millenniun celebrations?

The Deputy is engaging in repetition.

(Limerick West): I do not have to reconsider any position because the position has been determined by the all-party committee, and any changes in that would be a matter for the Taoiseach and not the Minister for Defence.

When was the last occasion that a major military parade took place on Easter week-end to commemorate the Easter Rising? What is the reason it has not been held since?

(Limerick West): I do not have that information and I do not think it is relevant to the question put down by Deputy Gregory.

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