Vol. 461 No. 2
3 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach the official commemorations, if any, that are planned for 1996, other than the continuation of the Famine Commemoration; and the commemoration, if any, planned for the 80th Anniversary of the Easter Rising of 1916. [2393/96]
I propose to circulate in the Official Report details of commemorations to be held this year.
In addition to the annual 1916 Arbour Hill commemoration held in May and the National Day of Commemoration in July the following commemorations are planned: (1) 50th anniversary of the formation of the FCA; (2) 50th anniversary of the Naval Service; (3) 50th anniversary of the standing-down of the Defence Forces, at the end of the emergency; (4) Bi-centenary of the Four Courts; (5) 150th anniversary of the birth of Michael Davitt, and (6) 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Labour Court.
It is not the normal practice to officially commemorate 80th anniversaries. However I propose to lay a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance in memory of all those Irish men and women who lost their lives during the Easter Rising. On the evening of this ceremony I intend to host a State reception for relatives of the 1916 leaders, surviving veterans and their families.
Commemorations During 1996
(1) 50th anniversary of the Formation of the FCA.
The 50th anniversary of the formation of the FCA occurred on the 6 February. It is proposed to hold a number of events in 1996, with participation by LDF representatives, to commemorate the anniversary — such as regional parades, the printing of a special edition of An Cosantóir, photographic and equipment displays and the issue of a dedicated call-card from Telecom Éireann.
(2) 50th Anniversary of the Naval Service.
The 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Naval Service as a component of the permanent Defence Forces takes place in 1996 and a number of commemoration events are planned. In addition to cultural, sporting and liturgical events throughout the year, ships of the Naval Service will visit most ports in the country coinciding with local festivals; Mass will be televised from the flight deck of LE Eithne, the Naval Association, comprising serving and retired naval personnel, is planning to stage the Dublin Maritime Heritage Festival in Dublin Port from 31 May to 3 June; a nationwide transition year students' competition will be held and the President will review the ships of the Irish Naval Service, along with nine visiting war ships, in Cork Harbour on 12 July.
(3) 50th Anniversary of the standing-down of the Defence Forces, at the end of the emergency.
It is proposed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ending of the emergency by staging a number of events in various occupied barracks and military posts throughout the country. The main commemorative event will take place in Cathal Brugha Barracks on 31 August where displays of archival material and military memorabilia of the emergency period will be put on display. Mass will be celebrated in Rathmines Church at the commencement of the event.
(4) Bi-centenary of the Four Courts.
The bi-centenary of the Four Courts occurs on 8 November next and it is proposed to mark the occasion by unveiling a plaque in the Fourt Courts; holding an exhibition of memorabilia and a State reception.
(5) 150th anniversary of the birth of Michael Davitt.
Details of the arrangements to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Michael Davitt have not yet been finalised between my Department and others, principally the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. However, it is intended that celebrations will take place to mark this occasion later in the year. The Government has included a stamp to commemorate the anniversary in its stamp programme for 1996.
(6) 50th anniversary of the Establishment of the Labour Court.
Consideration is being given to the publication of a history of the Labour Court and the funding of a scholarship to mark the 50th anniversary of its establishment.
I am glad the Taoiseach is taking this initiative. Other countries celebrate events of national importance annually regardless of whether it be a 79th or 81st anniversary. Will the commemoration he has announced be in addition to our usual commemorative service in Leinster House? Now that some of the difficulties that prevented us from commemorating the Easter Rising of 1916 over the past 25 years have ceased, will he agree that we should honour the true founders of this State, take pride in their courage and revert to annually honouring their endeavours?
We honour the 1916 leaders every year at Arbour Hill. Furthermore, a national day of commemoration was introduced in the 1980s with the co-operation and agreement of all parties, including Deputy Ahern's, at that time, as an inclusive annual commemoration of all Irish people who died in wars whether at home or abroad. As the Deputy will be aware, in addition to the annual 1916 commemoration — which takes place at Arbour Hill — in 1991 a special commemoration was initiated by the then Government to mark the 75th anniversary of the Easter Rising because it is usual to do something extra on a 50th, 75th and centennial anniversary. It is not usual to do something extra on a 80th anniversary but, in this instance — as a personal initiative — over and above the Arbour Hill commemoration, and on a different day from the Arbour Hill commemoration, I propose to commemorate the 1916 Rising and those who took part in it by laying a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance and by hosting a State reception. That is appropriate. I thank the Deputy for his welcome of that initiative.
While welcoming the Taoiseach's initiative, he will recall in the late 1960s and early 1970s the annual commemoration of the Easter Rising of 1916 held on Easter Sunday ceased for various reasons into which I will not delve now. Now that the difficulties that led to that decision being taken are no longer there does the Taoiseach agree we should resume our celebration of the founders of our State? While acknowledging the arguments of revisionists and others, the actions and sacrifices of 1916 were endorsed retrospectively by the overwhelming wish of the people in 1918 and led to the foundation of this State. This appears to me to be an appropriate time to resume those annual commemorations. Will the Taoiseach consider doing so?
Do not look at me.
We are tempted; it will not interfere with the Coalition.
I have not given much thought to the more general point Deputy Ahern is now making. I hesitate to enter that territory. As I have said many times, in any commemoration of the foundation of this State, it is important to include all of the traditions that contributed, and continue to contribute, not just to this State but to the life of this entire island. There is always the risk that, by adopting one view, we exclude those who hold a different view of history. While history can be very instructive, inclusive and reassuring, it can be divisive and triumphalist if presented in a certain way. In the initiative I am taking to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Easter Rising of 1916, over and above the annual 1916 commemoration ceremony at Arbour Hill. I believe I am taking an appropriate course.
The wider questions the Deputy raised are ones I would be happy to examine if he wishes to make submissions to me. It is important that we bear in mind the many traditions, and different views of historic events, recognising diversity as a value in itself and commemorate all traditions, as we did last year in commemorating patriotic Irish people who died in both world wars——
We supported that initiative too.
——saving this island from Nazi tyranny, fighting against a tyranny that caused the deaths of so many people on racial grounds alone. It is important that that tradition — not necessarily in conflict with other traditions — is recognised in an inclusive way. Our national day of commemoration was initiated, in conjunction with the Arbour Hill 1916 commemoration on the basis that it would include commemoration of different events, views of historic events and sacrifices by Irish people in various circumstances. That is the best approach. That approach was agreed by the Fianna Fáil Party and I would be surprised if it changed its view on that at this stage.
I remind Members that we must proceed to deal with questions nominated for priority not later than 3.30 p.m.
While all Members would commend inclusiveness in dealing with events to which the Taoiseach referred, does he agree it should not override our special sense of pride in the Easter Rising of 1916, and in the heroism of the men and women who participated in it?
It is because of its significance that we have an annual commemoration of the Easter Rising of 1916 at Arbour Hill. It is because of that special recognition of 1916 — although one does not normally celebrate the 80th anniversary of any event — I propose holding an extra commemoration this year. I do not understand the ultimate purpose of the Deputy's question or the distinction she is trying to draw.
The Taoiseach made the distinction.
It was the Taoiseach himself who drew the distinction and would wish us to regard all such historical matters with a sense of inclusion. In a general sense, that is admirable but history is history and is not to be revised. There is a genuine need to recognise the founding persons — the women and men of 1916. As our leader said, there was a definite sense of purpose to the commemoration of that event. Events intervened and it was put to one side. However, in the climate of peace which thankfully exists in this country, we could again openly commend and commemorate the heroism of that period in proper fashion.
I am still unenlightened as to what Deputy O'Rourke wants. She wants what she calls a definite sense of purpose. There is a definite sense of purpose at Arbour Hill; it is to commemorate 1916. There will be a definite sense of purpose at the Garden of Remembrance when I lay the wreath and hold the State reception; it will be to commemorate 1916. I am not sure what Deputies Ahern and O'Rourke are driving at in regard to this matter. I have invited Deputy Ahern to put his thoughts in writing and let me examine them.
We will do that.
I hope that we would recognise that there are different views of historical events. We should be inclusive and commemorate various traditions on this island rather than just one particular tradition alone. After all, we are trying to build peace. Peace derives from respect for difference, including differences which exist on this island about its history. It is important that we recognise that, while still having a special commemoration on the 80th anniversary of 1916 in addition to the Arbour Hill annual commemoration. I can see no coherent disagreement with the approach I am adopting. I simply hear references in rather elliptical terms to definite purposes and so on and I am afraid it is beyond my capacity to define their true significance.
It is very sad if it is beyond the Taoiseach's capacity to understand because that is what it is all about.
I would be disappointed if a simple straightforward question, to which I got three-quarters of a straightforward answer, led to an argument. I will take up the point in writing rather than take up more time.
So shall I.
I thought the two Deputies would work together.
We will.
Like the Taoiseach and Deputy Spring.
There is only one true group of founders of the State. Can I get the Taoiseach's attention?
I am being distracted by Deputy Cowen.
The Taoiseach is easily distracted.
There is only one true group of founders of the State. This event was commemorated for 50 years or more and this commemoration should continue, having been suspended for some time. I welcome the Taoiseach's initiative in moving some way to commemorate the 80th anniversary.
Lest this side of the House be misunderstood, last year I went along with the Taoiseach's initiative and was glad to be there. The first event was cancelled because of the inappropriateness of the day and we all changed our plans to be present on the second occasion. If somebody wants to commemorate 12 July on the streets of Dublin at some time in the future, I have no difficulty with that. However, the people who founded this State are the people of 1916. As a modern country and a republic we should be able to commemorate people as they would anywhere else in the world without putting strings and tails on it. That is all I ask. It is simple enough and I ask the Taoiseach to reflect on it.
Of course I will reflect on it. We are commemorating the unique and distinctive contribution of the men and women of 1916——
Those are my very words. I am delighted.
——by having an annual commemoration at Arbour Hill and this further commemoration. However, it is important to recognise that there are others of a different tradition living on this island who do not have the same feelings about 1916.
What has that to do with it now?
If we are not to be partitionist in our mentality it is important that we seek to be inclusive in any commemorations we undertake. That is the value of the national day of commemoration.
Do not always be doffing the hat.
I do not think we should unduly emphasise military aspects of commemorations, if that is what the Deputy has in mind. We want an inclusive commemoration which commemorates all who contributed, whether through military or non-military means, to making this a society which is at ease with itself and has the capacity to be at ease with all the traditions in Northern Ireland. The more we emphasise what is exclusive about this State, the less we will be able to be receptive to other traditions.
Terrible stuff.
That is my view and it is one I have held throughout my political life.
We know that.
It is a view that enables me, from that standpoint, to commemorate the events of 1916.
The Taoiseach is the Renaissance man.
Why does the Taoiseach feel it necessary to give us this long explanation in answer to a simple question? He was asked if he will do something extra for the 80th anniversary and he answered yes. I would have thought the answer could have been left as "yes, and I am proud to do it". Why does the Taoiseach feel it constantly necessary to allay the fears of everybody else? Why not just be proud of this one commemoration and leave it at that? We do not have to apologise or explain because we want to hold a celebration of something of which we are proud.
I was responding to a question from Deputy Ahern who seemed to suggest that what I was proposing was not adequate. He wanted something more — something unspecified which he did not explain. He wanted something definite, to use Deputy O'Rourke's words.
I explained it but the Taoiseach does not want the explanation.
Our approach to commemorations should be as inclusive as possible and recognise that the conflicts on this island derive from the multiplicity of traditions on this island. In commemorating, particularly 1916, we also want to recognise the need to commemorate other traditions in an inclusive way.
We should have the courage to hold our own celebrations.
That is not doffing the hat to use the Opposition's term.
It is apologising.
This country is secure enough in its own traditions and strong enough in its own convictions that it can afford to be inclusive. We do not need to constantly reassure ourselves about past verities or reinforce past prejudices.
We do not have to bury them either.
We do not need to reassure ourselves that one view of Irish history was exclusively right and the other exclusively wrong. That approach is not consistent with achieving the reconciliation necessary to underpin peace on our island. That is why I am taking this approach while holding a special commemoration of 1916.
The Taoiseach has talked in circles and finished nowhere. In light of its uniqueness and special place in our history, will the Taoiseach be prepared this year to have a special day at Easter to commemorate the memory of 1916? An article in The Sunday Times of 21 May made reference to a Sergeant John Bruton of the Dublin Metropolitan Police who gave evidence against Joseph Plunkett which secured his conviction. Was that man a relation?
The Deputy should not personalise matters.
Deputy O'Keeffe's intervention says all that needs to be said about his party.
That is a neat way out of everything.
It shows where the members of the front bench, who use more sophisticated language, are actually coming from.
It does not answer the simple question the Taoiseach was asked.
The House heard me say earlier that we must proceed to deal with priority questions.
The Taoiseach was very remiss in the way he dealt with this question. We are fully entitled to put our questions to him.
When Deputy Ned O'Keeffe spoke the mask fell.
We will not be dismissed by the Taoiseach in his arrogant way.
Sorry, that is the end of questions to the Taoiseach for today. We are now proceeding to deal with questions nominated for priority.
On a point of order——
It may be a point of order but it is audacious to interrupt the Chair continuously when he is making an important announcement to the House. The Deputy should proceed with his point of order.
In future, will the House move a little forward and, at least, get to Civil War politics instead of 1916 politics?
What would the Deputy's poor ancestor say?
Deputy M. Kitt rose.
There is a time limit attached to priority questions and I will not allow any Member to erode that time.
I want my question put back on the Order Paper?
My office will be happy to do that in the ordinary way, Deputy.
