Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

It is my understanding that in accordance with a Government decision, An Post will issue stamps to commemorate both the 90th anniversary of the Easter Rising and the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

At the Soloheadbeg commemoration last Sunday, as has been the practice for many years, relatives of at least one of the RIC constables who was shot dead were present. There is everything to be said for looking at our history in a spirit of mutual respect and reconciliation. However, that does not mean that I subscribe to efforts to effectively repudiate and criminalise parts of our history, such as the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence. I am afraid that some people's ambitions — one of whom was quoted in this House yesterday — stretch in that direction.

Finally, supporting a debate——