Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank Senator Keaveney for being so generous with her time. I echo the call she makes for an interpretative centre at Ballykinlar camp.

My grandfather, Patrick Boylan, was a member of the old IRA in County Monaghan. He spent nine months in Ballykinlar in the early 1920s. I remember well the stories he told me as a boy. For him and for many small farmers who took up arms on behalf of their country, this was their first time being away from their homes and families and it was a very frightening period for them. In the words of Michael Collins, it became a university of revolution for them. As a tribute to the efforts they made in the cause of our independence, this interpretative centre would be very fitting. I ask the Minister of State to give serious consideration to progressing such a scheme so that it will be in place in time for the centenary of the War of Independence in 13 short years' time. Go raibh maith agat.