Joe O'Reilly (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

It merits repeating that there is no question but that 1916 was a seminal event in our history. There is no question that the participants, in the main, were driven by the highest ideals and by heroism and both merit acknowledgement in a debate such as this. There is also no doubt that a number of them had a very romantic view of life but even at that they were driven by the highest ideals and were very unself-absorbed, sincere good people. That merits repeating.

As we approach the decade of commemorations, it is important to acknowledge the heroism and idealism of those people who led and participated in the Rising but it is also important to acknowledge that they are part of our collective DNA - our memory and admiration of them - and our individual DNA to the extent that people still have a great regard for what they did, and for their relatives and their desire to perpetuate correctly their memory and commemoration.

It is important that the entire period of commemoration, including the centenary of 1916, is done in an mutually respectful and inclusive way, that it is done alongside the other commemorations and that implicit in it is a recognition of the heroism and idealism of people who did not go in particular one way or another. There were some very idealistic people who chose to go to fight in the First World War and there were very idealistic people in 1916. We must recognise all this as a collective and have mutual respect in the way we celebrate it.

There is merit in the view emerging in the debate and that was proposed by the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, last night that we try to proceed by consensus on this in the national Parliament. I appeal to everyone here to do that. It might be the most fitting tribute we could give to the idealism, romanticism, heroism and everything that went with the heroes of 1916 that we would proceed collectively with regard to the commemoration and the buildings.

There is no doubt that Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street are hugely important monuments in that the last council of war was held there and those buildings are hugely central. With regard to all the planning material that has gone through An Bord Pleanála and all the plans that are on the Minister's table for consent, there is no provision within them to take away in any way from the integrity of the buildings. It is not a question that only their facades would be preserved or that they would be demolished or disfigured in any way other than what must be done structurally for health and safety reasons. The integrity of the buildings will be preserved as a monument and it is right that should be the case.

The difficulty with the proposition that we make the entire street a commemorative area is that there are issues around private property, timing and funding. It would be better if we were to take the proposal for the development of Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street and put a very good commemorative centre in place there. It is implicit in the planning permission for the other developments that they take cognisance of that and in no way disturb the historical element of the street. It is better that we proceed on that basis. I think that is the view of the original group of relatives.

I congratulate the people who brought forward this important motion. The events of 1916 were hugely significant. They changed the face of Ireland and had enormous implications for our history, for where we are today and for the very building we are in. I appeal to the proposers of the motion, who put it forward in good faith, to consider the Minister's suggestion of working collectively and in a collegial way to arrive at an eventual outcome that will honour the participants, respect the relatives who are in the Visitors Gallery and the people who admirably fought for many years to preserve the buildings.

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