Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Is mian liom céad míle fáilte a chur roimh an Aire. Níl aon amhras ná go bhfuil áthas orm go bhfuil seans againn ár dtuairimí i dtaobh an chláir cuimhneacháin a nochtadh. Is maith an rud é go bhfuil mioneolas á thabhairt. Ba cheart go mbeadh tuiscint sa Seanad agus lasmuigh i measc an phobail ar céard go díreach atá i gceist. Ta mé lán-cinnte go mbeidh dea-thoil ann don obair atá idir lámha ag an Aire.

I believe this whole episode is in very safe hands with the Minister, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan. I am appreciative of the fact that, at this early stage, he has come to the House to inform us of what is happening. In a vacuum, there is sometimes a misunderstanding and misrepresentation whereas this is putting on the record what our goals and our vision for the future will be.

We all agree Ireland's story is a very diverse one - there is no doubt about that. We have had an opportunity to reflect in many ways and to contemplate that, particularly since the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process, there has been much greater interaction between different groupings on this island, interactions that perhaps in the past would have been somewhat difficult because of the prevailing climate. There is huge goodwill out there at present. There are very few people who would not want to see us progressing further given the opportunity has been provided and the foundation has been laid.

Wearing another hat, we in Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann had an opportunity recently to make a decision on whether Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which is a major event, should cross the Border for the first time in 60 years. That will happen next year and up to 300,000 people will be in Derry for that celebration. Interestingly, I went to a meeting of what we would call the stakeholders in Derry a few months ago and I could see the changed Ireland which exists. All the political groupings were represented, there were statements from the Apprentice Boys offering their support and people asked to be sure that we position elements of the event on their side of the Foyle. In addition, we had letters from the First Minister, Mr. Peter Robinson, and the Deputy First Minister, Mr. Martin McGuinness, seeking to ensure the event would be held there. The tone of those letters was along the lines that we have something we can all celebrate which is not divisive, enhances our own positions and enriches our own outlooks.

As I said, we have a very diverse story. If we get it right, this can certainly do a lot for the future of Ireland and also for the image of Ireland abroad. Those of us who travelled abroad over the years of the Troubles will remember the difficulty at times of indicating that there were many cohesive aspects to Irish life involving those of all political and religious groups and of none. It was difficult to get that message across but we now have new opportunities to get it across. This message is important in the context of pride and of a sense of who we are as a people. It is also important in an economic sense.

Commemorations should never and need never be divisive and can avoid divisiveness through the language used. Sometimes it is the language rather than the manifestation in a commemoration that causes difficulty. Therefore, we should be careful in the use of language. Some of the language is archaic and antiquated and it is important we replace that with language through which we can engage and embrace. Any grouping that wishes to commemorate its vision, past or people should feel there is respect and tolerance of that wish and we should not distract from it. By doing that, those of us who have a different vision of Ireland, based on our historical past, can ensure that those who sacrificed themselves for our freedom can also be commemorated and that this will not be seen as divisive.

Those of us who are old enough to look back on 1966 will remember a wonderful pageant written by Dr. Bryan McMahon, entitled "Seachtar Fear, Seacht Lá" - "Seven Days, Seven Men". This pageant dwelt very much on the cultural side of 1916. If one looks particularly at the 1916 Proclamation and wants it to impact on one's life, one will see it is not about bitterness, but about peace. The 1916 Proclamation or charter was one of the shortest of any country, but was very much ahead of its time with regard to cherishing all the children of the nation equally. The seven signatories nearly all come from a cultural background. In many ways, it was the poets, musicians and such people who inspired the Easter Rising and this should be central to the commemoration. I am delighted to be able to say that the 1916-21 Club, which was specifically set up to heal wounds, the wounds of the Civil War in particular, has made it clear that its commemoration of the Easter Rising will be non-sectarian, non-party political and will take cognisance of its cultural and educational aspects.

As I said, the commemoration need not be divisive in any way. At the same time, it is important that we do not dilute who we are as a people. My experience of dealing with people from the Orange Order and other Unionist groups in the North down through the years has been that in the main when they meet us and realise we do not have two heads and we realise they do not have two heads, we are amazed by how much we have in common. I am chairman of the Irish Family History Foundation. The vice-chairman of the foundation was Sir Robert Kidd, a former chairman of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the secretary was Paddy "Bogside" Doherty. However, because this group had a specific focus, genealogy, we were able to sit down and work together. It is important that we come together more.

Voluntary bodies and national organisations have a huge role to play, whether the GAA, Conradh na Gaeilge, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the ICA or the farming bodies. These groups have a particular focus reflective of what is happening in society. Their focus is positive and endeavours to bring all people together for the specific aims and objectives of the organisation. We have hundreds, if not thousands of organisations. I hope the Minister, through the special body he has set up, will provide some opportunity for representatives of those organisations to come forward, no matter their aims, so that what we have will be a people's commemoration. It should also be a celebration. If we start with the concept of celebration, we will not celebrate violence or division, but generosity of spirit and sacrifice and will endeavour to be in tune with what was indicated by the people on this island in the Good Friday Agreement.

I wish the Minister every success in his work and assure him that I will support and co-operate with his efforts. I am glad he mentioned that the commemoration of the Easter Rising will be a central part of the decade of commemorations. This is what the people look forward to.