Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I understand the Taoiseach said he is not in favour of a day of commemoration of the Famine. Will he re-think that? The Famine is the most cataclysmic event in our history in its impact on this island and its effect on so many countries outside Ireland. Up to 1 million of our people poured out of this country at the time in an effort to stay alive. Would it be appropriate for the Famine to be commemorated in the manner suggested by the committee that wrote to the Taoiseach?

The Taoiseach said he did not support a commemoration day but the correspondence I have from the Fianna Fáil general secretary tells the committee: "On behalf of Fianna Fáil I support your call for a day of commemoration to mark the tragic loss resulting from the Famine." He says that this followed discussions with the Taoiseach. In the light of that, will the Taoiseach reconsider and agree it would be appropriate to commemorate it, given the significance of the Famine and the resulting emigrant flow from that terrible event?

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