Dr. Maurice Manning:

I thank the Deputy for being such a positive member of the all-party committee and for his contributions over the past while. The Deputy made a point about 1919 and 1920 but I remind him that the key event - the foundation of Dáil Éireann - was commemorated and celebrated in a major ceremony that was widely praised. It was organised, quite appropriately, by the Houses of the Oireachtas Service rather than by the State. There is the separation of powers. The Deputy's question on the foundation of the State is very interesting, particularly as it was incremental and uneven in spots. There were some successful Departments and others that were not so successful.