Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I see some merit in what the Taoiseach says but I regard the Famine as being quite an exception to the events noted regularly by many of my colleagues in their questions. I mean no disrespect to them in that regard. It is one thing to seek, as Deputy McGinley does, to commemorate the Flight of the Earls, but such an event is not comparable to the Famine. I suggest this was in the Taoiseach's mind when he discussed the matter with his general secretary, who says: "I have discussed the matter with An Taoiseach—"

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