Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I second Senator Ó Domhnaill's amendment to the Order of Business that No. 18 be taken before No. 2. I refer to the commemoration at Arbour Hill this morning, particularly the fact that the Defence Forces were denied the opportunity to participate in the mass. This is the first year it has happened. I am reminded to raise this because on Easter Sunday there is always a commemoration in New Ross, which commences with mass in our parish church, and the colour party from the local Civil Defence is always in attendance. This year for the first time they were denied permission to attend and I understand that came from the Department or the headquarters of the Defence Forces.

I would like to get the Minister in here to discuss this because while it might seem a minor issue, it is part of a more comprehensive, aggressive secular agenda which we have talked about in the past. As somebody who supports a pluralist position in society, it is important we do not allow bigotry into this area. It is also demeaning to those people who gave their lives during 1916 and the War of Independence so that we would enjoy the freedom we do today and that we have the freedom to be Members of this House and articulate views and policies on behalf of the Irish people. That is something that should never be denigrated and, unfortunately, this is a step back from that. I ask the Leader to arrange that debate in the House.