Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I met the representative bodies in recent weeks, and this issue arose in the course of our discussions. Members of the Permanent and Reserve Defence Forces want to participate, and former members of the Defence Forces are also anxious to be involved. I assure the Deputy we will do what we can to ensure this is a year in which everybody in Ireland, including in particular those in the Defence Forces who commit their lives to the defence and security of the State, can participate in the commemorations.

See this speech in context