Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister's speech was also interesting. We have debated this matter in the House previously. On checking the records I found that in 2006 when I was on the other side of the House I proposed we begin to plan for the centenary of the 1916 Rising because we have a responsibility to deal with commemorating that particularly difficult decade in a sensitive and wise fashion. It is said of the Irish that our wars are merry and our songs are sad, and this is something on which we should reflect. We must be advised by history rather than imprisoned by it. We are unique as a nation in the sense our political process is so much imprisoned by history. Three of our four large political parties are defined by history. Perhaps one is defined by ideology, but three, namely, Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, exist because of historical moments and divisions. Perhaps the country has not been served too badly by our political system, but anybody who tries to examine the Irish political system finds it difficult to come up with reasons the political parties stand for certain ideas. Of course it is because we are historically based and we must now try to reach beyond this.

I look forward to the Minister putting his plans into action, and some of them are already bearing fruit. We have spoken here previously about the need for people to be in a position to study history in a more unbiased fashion. We have spoken about the need to ensure history remains on the curriculum as a subject which people are encouraged to study and not just dismissed as a subject to be given up at the end of first year. Many of us would not have been imprisoned by history for so long if there had been a better study and understanding of Irish history. In this sense I hope the various celebrations had commemorations will be helpful.

Senator O'Sullivan was correct to state it is easy to be too harsh about the 1966 commemoration. We look at it now in a different prism. When we see the black and white footage of marching men - there were no marching women - and church ceremonies and pageantry it looks very outdated but that was then and we must do things differently now.

This is a very weighty subject which we could debate at length. Our job is to ensure all we do in celebrating, commemorating and reflecting is useful for the Ireland of the next decade and beyond. If we want to pay tribute to people of all Irish traditions and all political divides the best way to do so is to build a new Ireland and a better republic. Let us learn from the past but let us not be imprisoned by it. This should be the theme of all of our celebrations and commemorations.