Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

I appreciate Senator Daly's comments. He is from a very cultured town, Kenmare, where the people have a very good balance between tourism and culture and have always held on to their unique identity. The Senator is in a very special part of the globe in Kenmare.

The 1916 commemorations will be very important and it is important they are inclusive. We can all trace our party origins back to 1916, to the GPO and the other areas and we must all be part of the celebration. It cannot be the preserve of a particular party or individual. It is important we work closely together and that we start immediately. It all started with the Home Rule Bill 1912, followed by the Ulster Covenant setting up the Ulster Volunteers and then the reaction here to set up the Irish Volunteers in 1913. The process started then. If I get the opportunity, I would like to see these celebrations as a great cultural event. When one looks at the signatories of the proclamation, one sees they were all poets and writers. The rising was driven by a national zeal, patriotism and nationalism that were inspired by writers. Many of us read Pádraig Pearse when we were going to school.