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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Apr 1995

Vol. 451 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - VE Day Commemoration.

Mary Harney

Question:

8 Miss Harney asked the Taoiseach if he or any other member of the Government has been invited to participate in the VE Day commemoration in London in May 1995, to mark the 50th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War. [6842/95]

The Government has not received an invitation to attend the 50th anniversary commemoration in London on VE Day. I understand that the invitations are being confined to the Heads of State and Government of those countries which played a significant part in the war in Europe. However, our Ambassador in London will be invited to a number of ceremonies on 7 May, including a Thanksgiving Service. While Ireland maintained a neutral and non-aligned status throughout the Second World War, many people, North and South, would regard it as appropriate that we should be associated with the commemoration in this way.

I presume we are not being invited because of our neutrality and we cannot attend something to which we are not invited. I thank the Taoiseach for sending me an invitation to attend the event he is attending on 15th April — I am delighted he is doing so — to commemorate the Irish people who died during the Second World War. It is appropriate that we should do so. I am pleased that our Ambassador will attend relevant functions on 7 May and other dates on behalf of this country. Although this is a controversial and sensitive issue it is important that we recognise the thousands of Irish people——

I do not want to create a precedent by hearing a statement at this time.

Does the Taoiseach agree with what I am saying?

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