Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Tá a fhios agam go raibh an Teachta gnóthach le cúpla lá leis na toghcháin ó Thuaidh agus nach raibh sé i láthair anseo. As the Deputy said when he asked me the question whether there would be all-Ireland representation, he has not been behind the fence, at least on this occasion, in saying he represents an all-Ireland party. On the last occasion the previous Taoiseach nominated the Minister for Defence as chairman of the consultation group which included Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, the new Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Joe Costello of the Labour Party, Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh from Sinn Féin and Deputy Michael Lowry as an Independent. At the time the Green Party was satisfied that the Minister for Defence would ably represent its views on the consultation group. From that point of view, all of the issues raised by Deputy Gerry Adams and the range of incidents or events that should be commemorated can be discussed by the consultation group. We put in place a strategy to deal with this. On the last occasion, when dealing with the restoration of the Asgard, renovations at Arbour Hill and Glasnevin, the refurbishment of St. Enda's Park and the Military Archives, there was a co-ordinated, full and generous response from the members of the consultation group. I hope those nominated on this occasion will do the same in respect of the many events that have to be commemorated in the coming years.

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