Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

On a separate issue, a number of requests have been made for a debate on the 1916 rising. I would welcome a continual debate on that matter, but not merely on what happened 94 years ago this week as the GPO was being shelled. We should consider not merely the events that took place but also how we are living up to the dream outlined in the 1916 Proclamation. We must also consider how we might bring forward plans to re-unite this country and provide to people the entitlements and rights that were prescribed in the Proclamation.

Those who took part in the 1916 Rising were men and women of action. It is important that we should follow their example and take action. As legislators, we need to act. A major development company which owns many properties and which is about to be taken over by NAMA has been granted permission to do what the British Army was unable to do, namely, demolish the area surrounding the GPO, including No. 16 Moore St. There is a way in which we can protect this structure and we need to take decisive action and follow this way.