Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The ceremony will take place on Easter Sunday. I cannot give the exact numbers but they will be considerably lower than last year. It will be a simple military ceremony, centred on the GPO and involving the raising of the flag and reading of the proclamation. I cannot control what is envisaged for the future but the committee met on 21 November and will meet again to finalise arrangements for Easter Sunday, when we can add to or subtract from them according to the Deputy's suggestions. At the moment a number of minor parades is envisaged for the immediate future. They may grow as we build towards the centenary. I will let the Deputy know what the committee proposes and will listen constructively to his suggestions.

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