Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Between 1969 and 1999, approximately 3,500 people died as a result of political violence in Northern Ireland. The conflict, often referred to as the Troubles, has its origins in the 1921 division of Ireland and has reflected a struggle between different national, cultural and religious identities. There has been much discussion in the Republic about our own history, as we reach the 100th anniversary of the death of Michael Collins, a man who hailed from west Cork and successfully signed the treaty for this country, which was close to the edge at that time. I have spent the last few months making every effort possible to get a stand-alone statue of General Michael Collins in our capital, the first of its type. Instead of doors swinging open, every obstacle possible has been put before the group in an effort to stifle progress. We should honour our past heroes with pride. They did so much, but their lives were cut short before they could finish their good work. I know that the honour will be given to Michael Collins on 21 August this year at Béal na Bláth, as will celebrations at Newcestown the same evening, as the Newcestown community group makes an effort to get into the Guinness World Records, with the most people named Michael Collins to congregate at any one time. Well done to all involved.

In 1998, the UK and Irish Governments, and key Northern Ireland political parties, reached a negotiated political settlement, resulting in the Good Friday Agreement. It recognised that a change in Northern Ireland's constitutional status as part of the UK can come about only with the consent of the majority of people in Northern Ireland as well as the consent of the majority in Ireland. The agreement called for a devolved government and the transfer of specified powers from London to Belfast, with a Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive in which unionist and nationalist parties would share power.

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