Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

A Chathaoirligh, my remarks will not be controversial. Having read the President's speech in full last night — I did not have a chance to do so beforehand — I was struck by the part of her speech in which she remarked that this year is the 90th anniversary not just of the 1916 Rising but of the Battle of the Somme. The President is right to highlight the fact that the commemoration could be a point of reconciliation for every person on the island of Ireland. I remind the House that 35,000 Irishmen gave their lives in the Great War, yet we have no plaque, statue or listing in the Houses of the Oireachtas to commemorate their great contribution in what was one of the most appalling battles ever fought, not just for human civilisation but for Ireland. They were fighting for Ireland and were doing as John Redmond said on that famous occasion at Woodenbridge when he stated, "We must go where the fighting is fiercest". I agree with the President that this joint commemoration of the Battle of the Somme and 1916 would not only be good for this Republic but would be good in terms of reaching out and stretching the hand of friendship to Northern Ireland. It is in the context of those remarks that we should pitch the debate on 1916 and on the Battle of the Somme.

Over the past number of years Senator Mooney has very bravely raised the issue of the Shot at Dawn Campaign. I joined this campaign much later than he. I seek a debate on that issue in the coming weeks because developments are apace in London and we need to be kept up to date on what the Government is doing.