Mr. Raymond Daly:

I thank the committee for inviting me today to speak on a subject very close to my heart. There are two dates that stand out for me with regard to the singing of "Amhrán na bhFiann" and my colleagues have mentioned them. There was the great event of 2007 and the famous Ireland-England game. On such a powerful occasion, emotions run high, and on that date, "Amhrán na bhFiann" found its voice. Peadar Kearney, Patrick Heeney and Liam Ó Rinn would have been very proud on that day. On Easter Monday 2016, I stood on Moore Street in Dublin with my family, two girls, on the site where our 1916 leaders surrendered. After the Proclamation was read, the large crowd, including us, sang "Amhrán na bhFiann". Again, it was a powerful occasion that brought much emotion and patriotism. It just felt right. At the Ireland-England game I have the image of "The Bull" Hayes in floods of tears. I think he was crying for the country that day and "Amhrán na bhFiann" hit a note that day.

Unfortunately as a nation, a country and a people we have failed to fully embrace "Amhrán na bhFiann". Many of us were not taught the words in school. It depended on the individual teacher. This probably indicates why "Amhrán na bhFiann" is not known throughout Ireland.

In a recent poll reported in The Irish Timesonline 47% of people said they knew the words, 37% knew some and faked the rest, 13% said they did not know the words. The rest had not heard it sung. In another poll TheJournal.ieasked "Do you think learning the national anthem should be part of the school curriculum?" A total of 89% said "Yes", 9% said "No", and the remainder did not know. I would like to think that as part of this process the Department of Education and Skills will make the learning of "Amhrán na bhFiann" part of the school curriculum, certainly in primary school. By the time they leave primary school every child in Ireland would know the words of "Amhrán na bhFiann".

I love to follow Ireland and Offaly, when it is doing well, but it is not doing so well now. I love to watch sport in general. "Amhrán na bhFiann" is least respected when sport is shown live on television. As the camera scans the team at best 50% of them are singing. It does not look right. If the Football Association of Ireland, FAI, the Irish Rugby Football Union, IRFU, and the Gaelic Athletic Association, GAA, would try to get their players, coaches, staff and management to learn the words of "Amhrán na bhFiann" that would look very good. There is a great example of this working well in Wales where at the last game of the group stage, all the Welsh players and supporters sang their song. The same happens in England, Scotland, Italy and Argentina. When everyone sings the anthem together it works very well. I hope that could be done here.

It took a trip to Glasgow to inspire me to learn the words of "Amhrán na bhFiann". At the ground I was intrigued that the Celtic supporters could sing "The Soldier's Song" on the terrace. On one occasion when we ended up in the pub after the game at the end of the session the band asked for quiet as they sang "Amhrán na bhFiann". All the Glasgow Irish sang along. Unfortunately, I did not know the words but that planted the seed and I was committed then to learning the words of "Amhrán na bhFiann". I have sung it many times since.

In America in 2006 a national anthem project was set up after a decline was shown in the number of people who knew the words of "The Star Spangled Banner". Competitions and roadshows went around to the schools to help the pupils learn the words in a fun and enjoyable way. I call on the Department of Education and Skills to make learning "Amhrán na bhFiann" compulsory in primary schools. As part of history and music combined, the children should learn the story behind our national anthem and learn the music too. This could be done using the US national anthem project as a template. The words should be published and taught in Gaelic and English, recognising that many in Ireland have a heritage of the English language and because the original song was written in English. The Department should set a timetable such that, for example, by 2025 children leaving primary school would know all the words of "The Soldier's Song" and "Amhrán na bhFiann". Teachers should be encouraged to teach this to their students in a fun, enjoyable and patriotic way in celebration of our national heritage, history and culture. I propose that the FAI, the IRFU, the GAA and other national sporting organisations take a lead role in encouraging all their members to learn the words of our anthem. Managers, players and staff should be made aware that they should lead by example and learn the words of our anthem, especially for live games on TV. While "Amhrán na bhFiann" is being played all teams should be encouraged not to break away until the national anthem is complete. Likewise, supporters should be encouraged to sing the anthem fully and not cheer before the last line is sung as has happened in the past.

The IRFU should be encouraged to change its policy of not playing "Amhrán na bhFiann" when the Irish rugby team plays away from home. "Ireland's Call" is a rugby anthem and when the Irish rugby team plays away from home "Amhrán na bhFiann" should be played also. I strongly plead with the IRFU to review this decision.

Phonetic versions of "Amhrán na bhFiann" should be used to encourage the Irish diaspora and those with Irish ancestry around the world to learn the national anthem. The chorus of "Amhrán na bhFiann" should be the national anthem of Ireland, inclusive of nationalists living in Northern Ireland and those Irish citizens around the world who use an Irish passport, for example, the Glasgow Irish. Please recognise that the national anthem belongs to the Irish people not just those of us who live in the Republic of Ireland.

I thank the committee for giving me the time to speak and I wish it well in its work.