Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)

It is proper today that we acknowledge the vision, perseverance and patriotism which was central to establishing this country's political independence. The responsibility entrusted in all of us, as Members of the Oireachtas, to debate, plan and legislate policies to enhance our country and to better the quality of life of our fellow citizens stems from the courageous stance taken in January 1919. That generation saw a sovereign native parliament as essential to the noble objective of ensuring that the people, in every generation, would have the freedom to chart their own social, economic and political progress. Its lasting achievement is the representative democracy that it is the duty of each of us, in our time, to uphold and nurture.

It is no accident of history that the Declaration of Independence of the First Dáil Éireann, its Democratic Programme and its Message to the Free Nations of the World, each of which were adopted in this room 90 years ago, make glowing reference to and derive legitimacy from the 1916 Rising. The Easter rebellion is at the genesis of the First Dáil Éireann. Those who founded our national Parliament envisaged a new Ireland, based on the ideals and the vision of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation. They strove for an Ireland that would be free, an Ireland that would promote social justice and an Ireland that would be unequivocally democratic. The significance of 1916 is only truly to be understood if it is seen as part of a movement which rapidly received democratic legitimacy and inspired a successful war of independence.

The patriots of the past knew that this country had vast potential, if only freedom could be achieved. Those who set up Dáil Éireann had an innate belief that a native government was necessary to build up our economy and strengthen its capacity to provide decent livelihoods for all Ireland's people.

In our recent history, this country has enjoyed astonishing success. Up to last year, the Irish economy was growing year on year, which resulted in unprecedented progress in creating jobs and tackling forced emigration. However, due to the international economic climate, the lack of confidence in global markets and the worst recession in a generation, we all know the next year will be very tough. In confronting our current fiscal difficulties, we can draw inspiration from our proud past.

It is instructive to recall the optimism of those who set this country on the route to independent nationhood and their belief in the capacity of each generation of Irish people to confront the problems of their time through their own ingenuity and common sense, building on what has been previously achieved.

I want to refer to a letter from the period, written by Michael Collins to a fellow Deputy, Austin Stack. This correspondence highlights both the bravery and the risks taken by Members of the First Dáil to establish a democratic parliament in this country. It reads:

After the Dáil meeting at the Mansion House on Friday, a few of us had a very interesting experience. . . At about 5 o'clock, the enemy came along with three motor lorries, small armoured car machine guns, probably 200 to 250 troops. They surrounded the building with great attention to every military detail. They entered the Mansion House and searched it with great care and thoroughness, but they got nobody inside. The wanted ones codded them again!

The generation that set up the Dáil was made up of practical patriots who refused to be browbeaten by the scale of the challenges they faced. The Members of the First Dáil, which included Countess Markievicz, knew that the objectives they had set of supplanting the political, administrative and judicial systems of the British Empire would require a massive, unprecedented effort. They met that challenge with determination and courage. That great national work commenced here on 21 January 1919 and from it flowed the establishment of democratic self-government in Ireland, with its own judicial system and diplomatic representatives.

Now 90 years on, in commemorating that historic occasion and in recalling the vision of our predecessors, we dedicate ourselves here to their example — representative government of the Irish people, by the Irish people and for the Irish people.

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