Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the sentiments of Senators David Norris and Paul Coghlan. We said much when the Minister for Defence was in the House for the debate on Second Stage. He piloted the Bill through the Parliament wonderfully. The Bill means more reconciliation and friendship on this island. That is always good and I hope we will be willing to take whatever remaining measures are needed.

People like Tom Kettle and Francis Ledwidge who died in wars against tyranny have been mentioned. In the university constituency of Senator Norris and myself, five people on the list of war dead have the same names as former taoisigh. There is a Fitzgerald, a Kenny, a Lynch, a Lemass and a Cowen.

This is a great reconciliation of our society. I appreciate the problems there were at the beginning. If all 42,000 people in the Army had left, we would have been in trouble but 80,000 people, including those to whom the Government is extending an amnesty, fought against the tyranny. There is a Holocaust Memorial near the Bundestag in Berlin to attempt a reconciliation and this is our contribution. The Minister for Justice and Equality hopes to organise a meeting with the 100 or so surviving veterans to formally close this chapter in our history as the country moves on to reconciliation and furthering the peace process. This is splendid legislation and I thank the Minister of State.