David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Mac Conghail that the arts can play a significant role with regard to the 1913 Lock-out. The RTE broadcast of Barry McGovern reading Strumpet City was immensely powerful. I am glad that the Minister has stated that this will be a diverse commemoration. I recall with horror the 1966 celebration, which was a grotesque, triumphalist celebration from which anybody who was not quite heterosexual, republican and Roman Catholic, was ruthlessly excluded.

The visit to Ireland by Queen Elizabeth II was a tribute to the Nationalist element of our population. It was a remarkable event, one welcomed by people here. For this reason, it is important we ensure the commemorations are diverse. I welcome the use of the word "commemoration". I also welcome that a former leader of this House, Dr. Maurice Manning, is involved. When it comes to 1916, I wonder how much we have to celebrate. It gives us an opportunity to take stock of our once again being victims of a rigid economic theory being applied willy nilly in this country from an imperial centre. We currently have soup kitchens, evictions and rack-renting in the sense that people who dare to improve their property now have to pay a higher price. We have lost our independence, financially and otherwise. It is time for us to stock-take.

I hope the Minister will be involved in political life in 2022-----