Mr. Tony Fitzgerald:

Is mór an onóir domsa, mar Ard-Mhéara Chorcaí, a bheith anseo ar maidin. Lá speisialta é agus gabhaim míle buíochas as an gcuireadh caint anseo ar maidin. As Lord Mayor of Cork, I am deeply honoured and privileged to be here to represent the people of Cork city. I was elected on 16 June 2017 and I am in office for almost six months. To be elected Lord Mayor of Cork is an honour and a privilege. I have with me the chain of office of the Lord Mayor of Cork. It was created in 1787 so it is 230 years old. It is the chain worn by Tomás MacCurtain and Terence McSweeney. I will provide everybody with a booklet giving an explanation of the chain and its creation. To wear the chain of office with pride is a humbling experience. Tomás MacCurtain and Terence McSweeney are well known in Cork. Before his death in Brixton Prison, Terence McSweeney initiated a programme in Cork city because, as an educator, he wished to reach out to the people of Cork, and particularly the young people. He began a programme of visiting all the schools in the city. Every Lord Mayor since then has continued that programme. I continued it in September and October last by visiting 85 schools in Cork.

I went to school at the North Monastery school in Cork and every morning, at 8.55 a.m., just before school began, the Christian Brothers gathered all the pupils around as the Tricolour was raised. Every pupil sang "Amhrán na bhFiann" before entering their classroom. Around the flagpole there were 16 rose bushes which were dedicated to the memory of the 16 Irish Volunteers who died on Easter Sunday. That memory is instilled in me since I went to school in the North Monastery so many years ago. When I took office as Lord Mayor, I wished to make the connection between the visitation of the schools started by Terence McSweeney and the learning of the national anthem, as occurred at the North Monastery. I therefore distributed the national anthem, "Amhrán na bhFiann", to every school and asked the principals and teachers of the schools to ensure that the pupils learned the national anthem in advance of my visit to the school. The response was tremendous. When I arrived at each school I was greeted by the pupils at the entrance of the school under the Tricolour, and every pupil sang "Amhrán na bhFiann" on my arrival. I thank each of the schools in Cork city for supporting my initiative.

It is important in 2017, following the commemorations of 1916, that each of us stands to full attention when singing "Amhrán na bhFiann", whether it is in Croke Park, the Aviva Stadium, Pairc Uí Chaoimh, Pairc Uí Rinn or Thomond Park, regardless of what sporting occasion we are attending. Not only should we stand to attention, but we should sing the anthem in full. Players, officials and spectators should sing the national anthem in unison to the end. It is the song that unites us, as Senator Mark Daly said. The response I have received is very positive. It was with great pride I was able to produce and publicise, in conjunction with the chief executive of the education and training board, ETB, Mr. Ted Owens, the bookmark I am holding. It has now been distributed to each school. In conjunction with my colleagues in Cork City Council, including Mr. Paul Moynihan, director of corporate affairs, and the ETB we have ensured that the legacy of "Amhrán na bhFiann" is solid in each of the schools in Cork city.

It is an ongoing conversation. It has sparked various discussions and debates about what Amhrán na bhFiann is. I welcome that. When I heard of the public consultation from my colleague, Senator Mark Daly, I was delighted to accept the invitation to be part of the process of the public consultation.

From my experience, I would recommend that we do not have any changes to Amhrán na bhFiann. I welcome the guidelines, and thank the Members of the House for the programme they are developing to ensure that the national anthem is held in high esteem as part of the heritage and legacy of our country. I am delighted to be here this morning to make this presentation as part of this historic moment. Gabhaim míle buíochas le gach éinne agus déanaim comhghairdeas leo.