Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for providing me with the opportunity to contribute briefly to this debate and thank the Sinn Féin Members for tabling the motion. I wish to be associated with the welcome extended to their colleagues in the Visitors Gallery. It is very important that politicians on both sides of the Border should have an opportunity to meet one another to share ideas on a regular basis.

It is interesting to note that on a day when Sinn Féin talked about being ready to be in Government, it has managed to divide the Opposition in a manner that is not always achieved by Members on this side of the House. I commend the Sinn Féin Members in this respect.

I will not rise to any point made except to state that I will not take lectures from Green Party Members about our commitment to 1916. My family is no different from any other in this regard. My father's uncle was a legendary figure named Holy Joe O'Connor who was with Éamon de Valera in 1916.

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