Michael Bell
Ceist:4 Mr. Bell asked the Taoiseach if, having regard to the fact that this year will be the 75th anniversary of the 1916 Rising, he will outline the plans the Government have to suitably commemorate that event.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Easter Rising Commemoration.
The anniversary will be commemorated in a dignified and fitting manner as indicated in the Government statement issued on 20 February, copies of which have been placed in the Oireachtas Library for the information of Members.
Deputies should also be aware that these events will be in addition to the customary ceremonies in Arbour Hill in May, and to the National Day of Commemoration ceremonies at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham on 14 July, to honour all those Irish men and Irish women who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations.
Is the programme publicised recently in statements made by the Taoiseach effectively the sum total of the commemorations that will take place? Also in regard to a question asked by Deputy Durkan last year the Taoiseach undertook to invite local authorities to participate. Has this been done and will local authorities be encouraged to participate?
The Government programme is as I have outlined, one simple dignified ceremony at the GPO on Easter Sunday with the other events that I have outlined. The Deputy will know, of course, that this is also the anniversary of the death of Parnell and it is the year in which Dublin is the European City of Culture. In the case of the latter there will be a wide programme of events connected with that and many of them will relate to the 1916 anniversary. We have also indicated that local authorities throughout the country should organise in their own way their commemoration of events, and that is happening.
Would the Taoiseach agree that in commemorating the year 1916 special efforts should also be made to commemorate the many thousands of Irish people from both parts and both traditions of the island who died in France, particularly in the battle of the Somme? Would he agree that the commemoration of 1916 should take account of the fact that those people died for what they considered to be an important cause; that they were all Irish and that we should aim, in commemorating 1916 75 years later, to be inclusive of all the various traditions on this island rather than simply commemorating, very rightly and justly, one particular and very important anniversary, that of Easter week?
The Deputy will know, and I hope he would agree, that we have at last found a satisfactory formula for commemorating all those who died in past wars and on service with the United Nations in the ceremony we now hold in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham on 14 July. Between us in this House we came to an agreement that we should do that and that that was the best way to solve all the difficulties, antagonisms and conflicts which arose from time to time over different ceremonies. I am glad to say that that ceremony has now established itself very successfully and I think it is accepted by the public very much in the spirit for which it was established. That ceremony will, of course, be held again this year. To that extent it will commemorate the death of people who died in 1916 as well as the people who died all over the world during the course of our history. There will be some special dignified ceremonies relating to Easter Week and the Proclamation this year.
While I acknowledge the point the Taoiseach has made that it was as a result of consultations between the parties in this House that the formula for a national day of commemoration was arrived at — and it is a very good formula — would he not agree that it might have been wise for him in preparing the schedule of commemorations for 1916 to have consulted — as his predecessor did — the other parties in the House with a view to having views other than those of the present Government taken into account in the particular way in which the year 1916 will be commemorated?
I will be glad to keep the parties informed.
I am not asking for information; I was asking for consultation; there is a distinction. I can read information in the papers quite sufficiently without the Taoiseach providing a special news service for me. I am asking if the Taoiseach would agree that it might be appropriate, in a matter of this kind, given that there are sensitivities and differences of view, to have consulted Opposition leaders, and particularly the leader of the main Opposition party?
I will call Deputy Proinsias De Rossa and then Deputy Bell for a final question.
Would the Taoiseach agree or, perhaps, undertake to convey to various councils and organisations that are being encouraged by the Government to commemorate 1916 that it is important to emphasise that this is but one part or our heritage and that there are other traditions on this island which do not see 1916 in the same light as many of us do, particularly in view of the fact that 1916 may be used by the Provisional IRA to justify their activities, and that this is one of the main concerns which many people have? Also, is the Taoiseach aware — if my memory of my school history is correct — that this is the 200th anniversary of the foundation of the United Irishmen which, perhaps, had an even more profound impact on Irish politics for the last 200 years than 1916? Addressing ourselves to that event might also help to clarify the role of 1916, the role of Irish politics and the unity of Catholic-Protestant and dissenter in Ireland today.
I do not want to get involved in any sort of disputation about this matter. I am anxious that Easter Week 1916 and the Proclamation should be celebrated in a dignified way which is related to that great event in our history. I have, of course, always indicated that there are a number of different traditions on this island. We all expressed very clearly and very sincerely in the report of the New Ireland Forum an acknowledgment of all the traditions and the contribution all our traditions made to the Ireland we have today. I think we found the right formula, first, in having one simple central ceremony at the GPO, and then having our 14th of July celebration to commemorate all those who died during the course of our history, and then encouraging local bodies and authorities throughout the country to have their own local ceremonies.
As my own party's representative on that all-party committee, I should like to put on record that I agree with the Taoiseach in relation to separating the two ceremonies. The ceremony on 14th of July should be held for the purpose for which it was designed, and the 1916 commemoration should be dealt with separately. The decision and recommendation of the Taoiseach, with particular reference to the local celebrations or commemorations, is more than adequate.
May I ask the Taoiseach whether it would be possible this year to introduce into schools at all levels — primary, secondary and third level — some method of enabling our young people to be aware of 1916 which, for whatever reason, over the years has been rather muted so far as our school histories are concerned. This is more important than any commemorations we might institute — not that I am against those celebrations, very much the reverse but I would ask the Taoiseach to see if there is something we could do to bring about a real awareness among the young people and the students of today so that by the year 2000 our people will not have forgotten about 1916.
Yes, I would be glad to discuss that with my colleague, the Minister for Education.
Perhaps a final question. We have dealt sufficiently long on this question to the detriment of other questions.
You have been most indulgent. May I ask the Taoiseach regarding any public statements that are made on behalf of the Government in respect of the commemoration of Easter Week of 1916, if he would make a clear distinction between the motivation and actions of the men and women of that time and those who seek to use the memory of those events to justify murder in the present time on this island? Would he also acknowledge in due time the contribution of constitutional nationalism, perhaps on the 75th anniversary of the death of John Redmond, which will occur in 1993?
The words of the Proclamation itself deal with the first point made by the Deputy when the signatories of that Proclamation expressed the wish that nobody would dishonour the cause of the Republic by unworthy deeds.
Hear, hear.
I think it is appropriate that the leaders of all strands of our history be celebrated in an appropriate way.