Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister, who was nominated to the Seanad by Garret FitzGerald. A previous Taoiseach, Liam Cosgrave, nominated President Michael D. Higgins to this House. The Seanad will be playing a big role in the celebrations the Minister is organising.

Muckross House and the RIC barracks in Caherciveen, in the Minister's home county, have been restored as part of a heritage project. Both places would have been regarded as Unionist in the past but they are also part of our heritage, and the Minister is well placed to represent them. His fellow county man and friend, Seán Kelly, helped to foster unity in sport in this country by allowing rugby matches to be held in Croke Park. County Kerry is leading by example in this regard. These commemorations should be honoured equally in the Glens of Antrim, Derry, the Mournes and every other part of the country. We have to emphasise the inclusiveness to which the President referred. I am reminded of the wonderful photograph from Oldbridge, along the River Boyne, of the former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and the Rev. Ian Paisley as they commemorated a piece of Irish history.

Senator Ó Murchú spoke about Douglas Hyde, who in 1931 was asked by students of the TCD historical society to be president of the society. He said he would do it on condition they first asked Edward Carson. Here we see the first President of Ireland nominating a leader of the Ulster Unionist Party for an important post in the history of student societies. We should include parliamentarians like Butt, Parnell and Redmond, who took arduous journeys to confront the majority in Westminster on behalf of the Irish people. Of course, Daniel O'Connell took an even more arduous journey in his time. They are all part of what we are commemorating. There is a strong Irish parliamentary tradition. A new book on Edmund Burke was launched last night.

Our historic buildings are in much better condition compared with our last decade of commemorations. Dublin Castle has been splendidly restored, as has the Royal Hospital and, most recently, the museum building in Trinity. They are part of our heritage. Senator Mac Conghail referred to music and the arts. These should not be divisive. There should be no bitterness or dwelling on sadness. As Senator O'Keeffe has noted, we certainly should be determined to ensure there are no more wars. We should celebrate spontaneity, generosity, warmth and the best of this wonderful country.