Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Deputy Brophy, Mr. Blanch and the other guests. Mr. Blanch has campaigned tirelessly on this and he met Mr. Falvey and Deputy Tóibín in my office on the matter.

This period was a catalyst for our influence around the world and, by 1850, we made up one quarter of the populations of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Buffalo and Baltimore. The influx of Irish people into these cities, over a period of just five years, must have caused a lot of upheaval but they ultimately benefited American society and that teaches us lessons on how generous and open we should be to fleeing and struggling people around the world. This is an important holiday for many reasons.

I have no problem with legislating for this and I have no interest in the Department's concerns in that area. My preference would be for the Title to be as gaeilge across the Bill, and for it to refer to an Gorta Mór. I have no problem with amending the date as the Oireachtas sees fit but it is right to set it.

My preference would be to remove section 3, which states that the commemoration should include civil and military ceremonial elements and an interfaith service, and I would leave these things up to the discretion of the Department. I would also change section 4 to allow it to be designated by the Department and the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. I am uncomfortable with any faith element at a ceremony, such as there was at the recent presidential inauguration. My own preference would be for no faith to be there.