Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

However, I gave an undertaking in the House yesterday to raise the matter with him when he arrives here this evening and I will do that. I was not in Islandbridge this morning for the commemoration ceremony by the President and Her Majesty, the Queen. However, my thoughts were with the relatives of those who lost family members many generations ago. They had fought, in their belief, for king and country and the freedom of small nations. I think in particular of the gentleman from County Westmeath who was interviewed on the RTE news, who said that he attended the recent opening of a peace park in my native town which commemorates the loss of those men who fought in the armed forces not just in the Great War but in other wars around the world. Of course we think about them, which is why it is necessary not just to have words but also the symbolism and power of what it means for countries to join together to build continued peace in our world.

For that reason I was happy to see the response of the people to the visit of Her Majesty at the invitation of the President. It is not just talking about peace building but demonstrating that in 2011 the Queen of England is prepared to come here and respect and understand the different traditions on this island by laying wreaths both at the Garden of Remembrance and the memorial in Islandbridge. These two leaders, the President and Her Majesty, send out a statement of co-operation and mutual respect and understanding that is global in its impact and consequence.

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