Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes raised the matter of the engagement by the Democratic Unionist Party with the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body in Killarney. It engaged with us in an open fashion. That was a positive and far-reaching development but we should not hold our breath as it will take time for this to work itself through. The deputation would have gone further if it had the authority to so do. Given that it has to report back there was a wariness on its part. The Senator referred to the IMC report, which was positive.

Senator Hayes also said he was proud of the Army on Easter Sunday, as were we all when we reviewed it on the platform. It was marvellous to be a Member of the Oireachtas and to be invited to such a wonderful occasion.

Senator O'Toole rightly said that two prominent members of Sinn Féin were on the reviewing platform, one of whom is a Member of the other House and the other an elected member from the North. Therefore, there was full participation.

Senator Ryan said he did not like the way in which the word "republican" was used in the Cork context as he and his fellow republican were sitting in another bench. He raised the issue of the Army invitation for next week. Senator Dardis answered that point by saying we go to Kilmainham for a day of overall commemoration. Senator Ryan asked that we inform the Taoiseach about the website to which he referred and said that the Taoiseach has forgotten to note that James Connolly started the Labour Party. The Labour Party is the oldest political party in the State.