Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I know, and we had the argument. The Department is reviewing the decision, thank God, and it is to be hoped it will come out on the right side. The schools programme is key, and it is important it is not just in the province it is in but that it is right across the board. It is on the curriculum.

I am agnostic about the military service side. It adds to some events; it detracts from them in other ways. As for the interfaith element and so on, all events run by the State should be non-sectarian. This allows for a religious element, but if one goes down that road one must represent all religions. The easiest way is not to have any represented. To respond to a comment Deputy Ó Cuív made, one can have an event in a church, hall or something prior to the principal event if that is what the community wants.

I agree with Deputy Ó Cuív about ensuring that the community and the commemoration committee are mentioned somewhere so it is not just the Minister. Perhaps the Taoiseach could announce the date on foot of a report from the committee. This would cover one because it would be said that the committee exists.

Given much of the talk today, I feel amendments coming on, but they would not be against the spirit of the Bill, which has been reflected here today.

Anyone who wishes to respond to my ramblings should feel free to do so.