asked the Minister for Defence if he will allow the band of the Western Command to participate in the Easter Sunday commemoration parade at Galway.
64.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Western Command Band.
63.
asked the Minister for Defence the reason for his refusal to allow the band of the Western Command to participate in the 1916 Golden Jubilee Celebrations on Easter Sunday in Galway.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 64 together.
As the Band of the Western Command will be required for the ceremonies in Dublin on Easter Sunday, it will not be possible to make it available for the parade in Galway on that date.
Why not borrow the Garda Band?
Is it not rather unfair that what belongs to Galway is not left in Galway for this Easter Sunday?
The Band of the Southern Command will be engaged in Cork. There are three other Army brass and reed bands and they are required for Dublin on that date. The Band of the Southern Command will return to Athlone, where it is based, on Easter Sunday night.
If the Minister for Justice would only give us the Garda Band in Dublin, the Galway people would have their band in Galway. Now there is to be no music west of the Shannon because the Minister for Justice has disbanded the Garda Band. They should be ashamed of themselves. Decentralisation, how are you!