Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank those who have given us such fantastic presentations today. I really enjoyed listening to each of them. It makes me proud. I feel very connected to our national anthem. Any time I have sung it, I have felt huge emotion. I feel proud to be Irish and proud to sing the national anthem.

I congratulate the Lord Mayor of Cork on a fantastic initiative which reminds me of the time I was in school many decades ago. I attended St. Louis, Rathmines, as did my colleague, Senator Joan Freeman, and every morning we said our few prayers and then sang the national anthem. We also sang "A Nation Once Again" and "Seán South of Garryowen". These songs would not be thought about today. When President de Valera came, it was an emotional time for the whole school. We were all in awe. I am saddened that we do not hear the national anthem at the end of the day on television or at the end in the cinema or dance halls.

I have a couple of questions for Mr. Kearney and Mr. Ring. I do not think the national anthem is too militaristic, but some people do. Will they give us their thoughts on the matter? There is controversy about whether it should be Sinne Fianna Fáil or Sinne Laochra Fáil. What are their thoughts on it? Mr. Ring spoke about it, but perhaps he might say a little more.

We will be faced with these arguments when the debates start. I thank everyone for the fantastic presentations.