Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I agree with the recommendation. Obviously, the petition is inadmissible because it is not within our remit to deal with it. However, it is right to seek clarification from the OPW on the matter. The Chairman mentioned John H. Foley who was a renowned Irish sculptor. His other famous works include the statue of Daniel O'Connell on O'Connell Street and that of Edmund Burke outside Trinity College. The statue of Prince Albert has been on the Merrion Square side of Leinster House since 1923. That gives the historical context. Whatever the political dimensions at that time, it is now part of the folklore of this House and of the history that has made the country what it is today. Rather than try to knock such emblems and pretend the history did not happen, we should recognise that it is part of our past.