Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. We have discussed this issue on a number of previous occasions. I know it is not possible to have a separate day for every event where requests are made. The Taoiseach's establishment of a committee to look at a memorial day is the way to proceed.

The Great Famine was a catastrophic event, and in its own way was the cause of an outflow of people from here to the US, Australia and other places, which has consequences for the contemporary diaspora. Is there a timescale for the committee to report back? What is the outcome of that?

The Taoiseach has revived the 1916 commemoration day, which was an appropriate thing to do. A very big celebration was held two years ago, while smaller ones are planned for other dates between now and 2016, for which another Government has a long-term series of projections.

I am not sure about what is planned for the commemoration of the flight of the earls. The Taoiseach reminded me slightly of Hannibal's march on Rome. Will it be Ahern's march on Rome in 2009 when all those Ministers behind him tog out and head overland for Rome?

Under the legislation that is available, it is open to any country to mint a special commemorative €2 coin. This has been taken up in Spain, Finland and other countries. Has consideration been given to minting a special €2 coin to commemorate whatever event or person is in question, be it Owen Roe O'Neill, the flight of the earls or some other person from history? It seems to have been very acceptable in Finland and Spain and I believe it has been done in Greece. Perhaps the Taoiseach might comment on that.

In a commemorative sense, I know the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, spent €38,000 on sending out two copies of Judging Dev to every school in the country. Was that a commemorative tactic? What was that about? There is such a range of books about Irish historic figures. I could not contemplate what was the educational value of sending two copies of Judging Dev to every school in the country.

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