Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 October 2012
6. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed the decade of centennial celebrations with the Northern Executive and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44889/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decade of commemorations is a regular feature of discussions at all levels with the Northern Ireland Executive and the British Government.
I most recently discussed the issue with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers MP, at our meeting of 17 September 2012. This useful exchange of views built on previous constructive dialogue with her predecessor at the Northern Ireland Office, Owen Paterson MP.
I have discussed the decade of commemorations with the First Minister, Peter Robinson MLA, and the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MLA, including a substantial discussion on the issue at a collective meeting on 16 January 2012. I also invited the First Minister to Iveagh House in March to deliver the Edward Carson lecture. This was one of a number of initiatives supported by my Department to mark the centenary of the Home Rule crisis and the signing of the Ulster Covenant, which also included exhibitions on the signatories of the Covenant in Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan and an academic conference in King’s College London.
My colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, is also in regular contact on commemorations with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Carál Ní Chuilín MLA, and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office.
There is a common view among all those with whom I have discussed the issue that the anniversaries arising in the course of the decade should be marked in a manner which respects historical accuracy, promotes mutual respect and understanding and is tolerant of other views. The Government is also committed to ensuring the all-Ireland and east-west nature of our shared history is acknowledged in the course of the decade, and will continue to work with partners in the Northern Ireland Executive and the British Government in this regard.
I am conscious also that many commemorations over the coming decade will have particular significance for the Irish abroad. During my recent visit to the United States, I took the opportunity to meet with a number of organisations to ensure widest participation in the coming decade
I thank the Tánaiste for his reply and I welcome the fact that considerable preparatory work is being done at political and official level with regard to commemorations during this decade.
The words "respect" and "tolerance" stood out in the Tánaiste's reply. It is important that we have respect and tolerance on both sides. We should not lose our shared history. As an Ulster republican, I am proud of our fight for freedom and of the many achievements in the State that resulted from the activities of that period. Equally, as an Ulster person and an Irish person, I respect the pride that people of a different tradition take in their story. What we share is more important than what separates us. That must be uppermost in our thoughts as we prepare for these commemorations.
The period was a decisive one in Irish history. It was also a divisive period. The first major commemoration, of the Ulster Covenant on 29 September, passed off without major incident. As I said at the meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade last week, some deplorable incidents took place on that occasion when there was aggressive playing of tunes - one could not call it music - outside churches. I hope we can get away from that type of behaviour which could be provocative. None of us wants to see violence on the streets again. We had three nights of trouble in Belfast at the end of August. We do not want to see a repeat of that.
I agree with Deputy Smith. In this decade, which is already under way, we will commemorate the events that shaped our independence in this State and shaped the history of the island for the past 100 years. Respect, mutual understanding and reconciliation must be part of our remembrance of our shared history. It is also important that we recognise that the history of that period is not only one of conflict, politics and constitutions. We must also commemorate major developments such as the labour movement, the women's movement and the cultural renaissance of those years.
With regard to 29 September, my Department has maintained close contact with the Northern Ireland authorities in relation to commemorative events. We are present on the ground and monitoring what is happening. I pay tribute to the leadership shown by the First Minister, Peter Robinson MLA, and the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MLA, in the period leading up to 29 September. I share Deputy Smith's appreciation of the fact that those events passed off peacefully.
These commemorations must be inclusive rather than exclusive. People must engage in dialogue. Before 29 September, a critical situation was averted by the dialogue initiated by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister with the communities that were involved and by talking about the difficult issues that had to be overcome. This is the lesson that must be learned with regard to other commemorations. Everyone must be involved.
The Tánaiste is right. The commemorations are not only about conflict. They are about the history of how we came to where we are, as Irish people. That is as important as the conflict. We have commemorated the Ulster Covenant. A Home Rule covenant was signed about that time. There will not be difficulties in commemorating that. Very important commemorations will take place and we need to involve all sections of our community and give them a say and a feeling of belonging to the commemorations.
Being as inclusive as possible, are there proposals to have some North-South events that would be inclusive of the whole island? The more work and partnership there is between organisations, administrations and statutory agencies North and South, the better.
Respect, tolerance and inclusivity are important in marking these events. The Tánaiste has reminded us of the renaissance in literature, Irish language and cultural activities. It would be worth promoting those and highlighting the achievements of the period and how they have shaped our language and literature and our place in the world.
This year marks the commemoration of the Home Rule Bill and the Ulster Covenant. I know there were concerns, particularly ahead of the events in Balmoral in April and, more recently, on 29 September, and I am very pleased the events passed peacefully. I commend all those who took an active role in working with communities and different interests to ensure that was the case. In a way that has set a headline for the commemoration of events. The events must be commemorated in an inclusive way. I am very conscious of the North-South dimension of all this, which is why I have discussed it with the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. The matter is part of our North-South dialogue. It is the reason I took the initiative to hold an event in Iveagh House commemorating Edward Carson - the Edward Carson lecture. He was a Dublin man who was born around the corner from St. Stephen's Green, and his associations were with Dublin. The First Minister, Mr. Peter Robinson, MLA, delivered the lecture. It was a very inclusive event. Representatives of all political parties, North and South, were present, along with a large number of historians and people with an interest in the period.
That is the way we should move forward. It is about historical accuracy, respect and remembering. However, it is also about moving forward. In doing so it is important that we widen the canvas. While great events such as the struggle for independence were taking place, people were getting on with their lives. It is important in remembering what happened 100 years ago that we put it in the context of the way in which people lived at that time and the suffering they underwent, be it as a result of losing loved ones in the Great War, in the struggle itself or simply because of the poverty and ill health that was endemic on both parts of the island.
