Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

This House has a proud tradition of acknowledging and recognising commemorative days, one of which we have referred to today. As yesterday was ANZAC Day, I am pleased that a commemorative event took place in Grangegorman war cemetery where 17 Irish soldiers who fought in Gallipoli and elsewhere for ANZAC, the Australian and New Zealand forces, are buried. I am glad to say the Government was represented and that members of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers commemorative association were there to represent the soldiers who died.

Members of both Houses have relatives who fought in the ANZAC forces. The uncle of my friend and colleague from Kildare, Deputy Durkan, fought for those forces but sadly did not return. Deputy Durkan and I had the dubious pleasure of seeing his name on the wall at Ypres, a very emotional moment, representing our shared heritage.

I endorse what has been said about the historic events which took place in Killarney. Along with Members of this House, I was privileged to be there on behalf of the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body when the DUP made its historic entrance. The Leader might consider some way of allowing Members of the House who are not members of that body to engage in a dialogue on the extra-parliamentary activities taking place within this island and between the two islands at a parliamentary level. I will not say the British-Irish Council operates secretly, but we do not get much information on what goes on there.