Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I support the sentiments expressed by Senator Brian Hayes. Nobody doubts that the anniversary in 2016 will be a significant historical event. The manner in which the announcement was made and the lack of all-party consultation are the real issues. I speak as a member of the only political party that existed in 1916. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael did not exist then. The Army is the Army of the State, not the Army of Government. The fact that the announcement was made in the wigwam in Killarney when the Taoiseach was putting on his warpaint——