Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Smith. In this decade, which is already under way, we will commemorate the events that shaped our independence in this State and shaped the history of the island for the past 100 years. Respect, mutual understanding and reconciliation must be part of our remembrance of our shared history. It is also important that we recognise that the history of that period is not only one of conflict, politics and constitutions. We must also commemorate major developments such as the labour movement, the women's movement and the cultural renaissance of those years.

With regard to 29 September, my Department has maintained close contact with the Northern Ireland authorities in relation to commemorative events. We are present on the ground and monitoring what is happening. I pay tribute to the leadership shown by the First Minister, Peter Robinson MLA, and the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MLA, in the period leading up to 29 September. I share Deputy Smith's appreciation of the fact that those events passed off peacefully.

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