Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I wish to acknowledge the work of the committee. It is ad hoc at present because we must consider how it should go forward. I do not wish to simply force a way forward because we need to discuss the best way to work this out. There is time available before the planning for the centenary so we do not need to make decisions over night. However, we should try to work out the best way forward and decide which projects to develop. A period of ten years may seem like a long time but it can pass quickly so we need to put plans in place. The Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea, will be involved.

The National Day of Commemoration will be next week, following which my staff will review all the events to consider the best way forward. I will raise with the Minister, Deputy O'Dea, and with the Defence Forces the issue of the memorials in various parts of the world. Irish people have been involved in a number of areas. There are dozens of memorials in Argentina to Admiral Browne and Irish people were also involved in Spain. The Irish contribution has been immense. In particular I note the Irish contribution to many naval forces. It is a case of combining all the commemorations.

The military museum has collected information on military flags used by the Irish. It was hoped to return some of the flags of the Irish regiments based in England to the National Museum in Collins Barracks which would be a fitting place for them. However, their release will involve diplomatic efforts but the Government will continue to try to achieve that. It would be a gesture by the British if they did this. The flags are sacredly held on to at very high levels. It would mean a lot to the families here if they were released.

The Deputy referred to the National War Memorial Gardens in Kilmainham. Some Deputies will recall how overgrown the site was a decade ago. I did not start the campaign to have it cleaned up and I will not take the credit for it, but there was a campaign a decade ago. The Office of Public Works, Dublin City Council and others have done a fine job. People can now be proud of the gardens, the cenotaph and the cross. It is a facility which the OPW will have highlighted as a place to visit as it is in the heart of the city near a large centre of population. I agree with the Deputy that many people may not be aware it exists.

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