Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It is an important issue, as Deputy Bruton knows. Legislation is being prepared and will be brought to the House in the next session. We hope to have that legislation before the end of the year. With regard to Deputy Costello's comments, I thank him for referring to the speech I made in UCD, which set out the idea of commemoration over the next decade. Given the amount of legislation we have to discuss between now and the end of the session, we will not have the time for a full debate on the issue in plenary session. It may be open to some committee to discuss the matter. This is about ensuring we have as inclusive and comprehensive a set of commemorations as possible across the island.

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