Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Last Wednesday I saw in the Visitors Gallery the descendants of the 1916 leaders. One was reminded of the great sacrifice which had been made by these leaders and many other patriots when they sacrificed their personal ambitions for the common good. They also reminded us of the tenacity of the Irish character in overcoming what might have appeared to be insurmountable problems. On that day we were discussing the designation and preservation of the Moore Street area as a national monument. It was nice that during the break the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Finneran, had contacted the Taoiseach and the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, and then announced to the House that a meeting would be held with the Moore Street committee next Tuesday to find a solution to the current problem. We should learn from this message that, regardless of what difficulties we face today, we are capable of overcoming them.

Last week I received a letter from Mr. Peter Robinson and Mr. Martin McGuinness in which they pointed to the great changes which had taken place in Ireland since the Good Friday Agreement. They asked if we could bring Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to Derry in 2013 for the city of culture event. This is an indication of the changes that have taken place in Ireland. While the economy will understandably dominate the general election campaign and has dominated much of the debate to date, there is another Ireland which Daniel Corkery might refer to as "The Hidden Ireland" in which people are trying to create jobs, voluntary organisations are enhancing communities and charitable organisations are looking after people who cannot always look after themselves. Individual cases of distress have been brought to the attention of the House, while human rights issues, both at home and abroad, have also been discussed. As we leave the House, it is important that we recall the people who set the example in the past.

Ag an deireadh, gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach, an Ceannaire, na Cléirigh agus gach éinne a chabhraigh linn sa Seanad seo. Is féidir linn go léir a bheith bródúil as an obair atá déanta.