Micheál Martin
Question:21. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the Government commemorating Mr. John Redmond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36511/14]
View answerWednesday, 22 October 2014
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I believe it is right that we acknowledge the work of Irish parliamentarians in keeping the cause of self-determination alive and sustaining hope through some of the bleaker periods of our history. It is appropriate, therefore, that John Redmond's leadership has been, and is being, remembered with events, exhibitions and lectures in Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford, Dublin and London. In particular, the restoration of John Redmond's vault in Wexford is being addressed as part of the centenary commemorative programme. Recognition of the place of John Redmond and the Irish Parliamentary Party was marked with a debate to mark the centenary of the Home Rule Act, hosted in the Irish Embassy in London, on 1 July last. The panel of guest speakers comprised former Taoiseach John Bruton, Lord Paul Bew, Professor Michael Laffan and Professor Richard Toye, and the debate was moderated by broadcaster Fergal Keane. The audience included a range of Westminster parliamentarians, academics, community, business and cultural representatives, officials, advisers and media. BBC Parliament filmed the debate, which was broadcast on 5 July and on additional dates later.
On 18 September last, the Wicklow War Memorial Committee hosted a commemorative event in Woodenbridge, County Wicklow, a location long associated with John Redmond due to his historic speech of 18 September 1914. My colleague, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Charlie Flanagan, unveiled a memorial to honour the dead of World War One from Co Wicklow.
In our centenary commemorative programme this year, we reach the passing of legislation for Irish Home Rule. Building on the work of Charles Stewart Parnell and the Land League, John Redmond and his party ultimately delivered the Home Rule Act, which was finally passed on the eve of the Great War.