Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)

He is a man I commemorate every year along with Eddie Carmody, who was also from Ballylongford. It would be an awful indictment of the Minister and his Government if they failed in their responsibility to protect the great legacy of the men and women of 1916 and their courageous and determined efforts to bring about a real Republic that would do justice of all the people of Ireland, cherish the children of the nation equally and exploit our resources for the common good of our people.

I draw the Minister's attention to a letter he received from the family of Major General Joe Sweeney, who was prominent in the events of Easter week. He fought inside the GPO and was one of those who helped to carry James Connolly on a stretcher through the houses to a makeshift hospital on Moore Street. As the Minister will be aware, the family has expressed disappointment at not being invited to the recent commemoration ceremony at Arbour Hill and I ask the Minister to ensure that the oversight is rectified in following years. The family is very proud of its connection to the momentous events of the time. I urge the Minister to do the right thing by the Irish people and support the motion.

See this speech in context