Ms Emily-Jo White:

We welcome the opportunity to speak here today on behalf of Eureka secondary school in Kells, County Meath. I will share my time with Alex Martin in making our presentation. "Amhrán na bhFiann" is a crucial and core part of how the State commemorates events and people. It must be treated with respect, as Senator Mark Daly, stated.

My name is Emily-Jo White and I am a transition year student in Eureka secondary school in Kells, County Meath. I am here today to represent my school community by speaking about why we must look into achieving a special status for one of the key symbols of our country, namely, the national anthem, "Amhrán na bhFiann". As a teenage girl who plays gaelic football at club and county level, I cannot put into words how much pride I feel inside as we all sing along together to our national anthem on final days and special occasions. It would be such a shame to see our national anthem used inappropriately or disrespected by others. From this point, I believe that "Amhrán na bhFiann" deserves a special status in law and the respect to not get altered in any way.

The harp, Ireland's national emblem, has a special status.

The Irish flag, likewise, has a special status and must be treated at all times with appropriate respect by those who use it. One might well ask why our national anthem does not have a special status. It seems obvious that such status should be afforded to "Amhrán na bhFiann". When it is sung in Irish, its lyrics recall the struggles and hardships that we, the people of Ireland, endured for hundreds of years. We remember the past generations who fought to attain for our country the respect it deserves. For these reasons, "Amhrán na bhFiann" should be enshrined in law and not misused for advertising purposes.

In 1916, the people who stood up for the freedom of our country sang this very song while the GPO was burning to the ground. Why would we not seek to safeguard something so important to the history of our country? It was afforded immense respect in the past and should enjoy the same respect into the future. The title translates to "The Soldier's Song", which was the original version in English. Why would we show disrespect to those soldiers by allowing the anthem to be modified? When we hear it, it unites Irish people all over the world. If we allow people to use it for their own purposes, it will take away from the sentimental value attached to the anthem and the pride in which we as a country hold it. I thank Members for their attention. We will be happy to answer any questions they have.