Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)

Where else in the world would a building from which a rebellion was led and from which the independence of a country in its entirety was proclaimed be the subject of an attempt by the government of the day to get rid of that historic tradition by having the commercialisation of the building as its mainstay? Would the French commercialise the Bastille? This is one of the proudest buildings in our history, our fight against colonialism and our Proclamation as a nation to the world. A building which bears such significance should be treated as the national historic monument it is.

Some people have said here this evening they are shocked that the Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin, would make such a commitment. Having seen his record and heard his words in this House, I am not shocked one bit. Is it not telling that as Fianna Fáil heads into its centenary year, it chooses the commercialisation of the GPO as its flagship celebration? Perhaps it is so clear the Proclamation of 1916 has not been fulfilled that there is a sense of embarrassment within the Government. As the conversation on Irish unity and self-determination continues to grow, the Government continues to hide from the issue.

The Proclamation stated: "We declare the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland and to the unfettered control of Irish destinies, to be sovereign and indefeasible." It did not exclude a certain section of Ireland or its people. It is quite clear that anywhere else in the world, the GPO would be a national historic museum, as it should be.

See this speech in context