Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My argument is that although Departments and academia have done well, we seem much more reticent about any major commemoration that involves the public. I have always held the view that it is incredibly important for the wider public to be involved and to be educated in the facts, including that the First Dáil was not just a one-day event. The First Dáil set up a native Government under democratic control and we still enjoy that today. Traditions built in that period are still relevant. There seems to be a certain reticence to involve the public in this regard.

Dr. Manning referred to Soloheadbeg. I spoke at that event, as did Dr. Mansergh. That was fine. Aside from the date, it was just an engagement, and some would argue whether it was the first engagement of the War of Independence. The Ballyvourney people might tell us it is not true but we will not go there. That is not comparable with commemorating Terence MacSwiney because nobody outside Ireland knows about Soloheadbeg. However, people in the area are very conscious of the Terence McSwiney legacy. Dr. Manning said that Soloheadbeg can be a model but there was a State commemoration at Banna Strand. It involved the Army and the President. Will we do that in commemorating what happened in Brixton?