asked the Minister for Defence if he will allow the Army to take part in the annual Michael Collins Commemoration at Béal-na-Bláth this year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Participation in Collins Commemoration.
10.
It is not proposed that the Army should take part in the ceremony mentioned in the Deputy's question.
As explained in reply to previous questions—the latest being the Deputy's Question No. 41 on 7th July, 1966—it is the policy, in order to avoid difficulties which would arise in selecting individual anniversaries in commemorating which the State might participate, that a special day, Easter Sunday, should be set apart on which the State should celebrate the securing of Independence and honour all who took part in the struggle to achieve it. The only variation of this policy is the annual State commemoration at Arbour Hill for those who died in 1916.
Surely with a Taoiseach from Cork, the atmosphere is now existing to make possible a gesture in relation to this annual ceremony at which the Army used to be represented? After all, the object of the ceremony is to commemorate the first Commander-in-Chief of our Army. Surely the time has come when young Irish soldiers should be permitted to go there?
The Army honour Michael Collins each year on Easter Sunday. In my view, the late Michael Collins did not just belong to Cork; he was a man of national importance, the same as all the rest of the people in our generation who fought for the independence of our country. I have already stated my views on this matter and have already indicated to the House what has been settled policy over a number of years—with that policy, I thoroughly agree—that it is much better to honour all in one ceremony on Easter Sunday.
Is the Minister not aware that it was generally expected, with a Deputy from Cork leading the Fianna Fáil Party, that this very mistaken policy of boycotting Béal-na-Bláth would be reversed? Apparently, from the Minister's reply, we will continue on the same basis as before.
I have already indicated in my reply that it is not a question of boycotting Béal-na-Bláth. The Béal-na-Bláth commemoration would not be purely an Army commemoration. That is the point I am making. The question asks the Minister for Defence if he will allow the Army to take part in the annual commemoration ceremony at Béal-na-Bláth this year. I am pointing out to the Deputy and to the House that the Army and the State honour all who secured our independence on the one day, Easter Sunday, in each year.
Is the Minister not aware that for a number of years— five years, I think—the Army in fact were permitted and did take part in the annual Michael Collins commemoration ceremony at Béal-na-Bláth, with the full approval of the Government and with the presence of the Minister for Defence? If it was possible to do it then, why is not it possible to do it now?
Did they parade for the first Minister for Defence?
If it were agreed to now, I would have demands for Army parties to be present at commemorations on practically every Sunday in the year.
This is the first Commander-in-Chief of the Irish Army.
There would be one for Cathal Brugha, one for Liam Lynch, one for Seán Treacy, and so on.
And one on the 8th of December.
No comparison; his blood is on your hands and that is what is wrong with you.
In my view, all these men were the greatest men of our time, every one of them, and it was not just a one-man movement.
You ran away and left them there.