Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have just noted the queues at polling stations in Scotland. The last time we saw queues at polling stations was in South Africa when Nelson Mandela became president. I believe it will be an historic day one way or another. It is actually quite exciting and whether they vote "Yes" or "No" it will be momentous.

We have discussed at length here today various views on commemorations and history, and what happened and what did not happen. It is good to have such a discussion and hear the various viewpoints on history. That is an important role for the Senate. In that regard it would be appropriate to invite the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, for a debate on commemorations. We will have a very interesting period in the next couple of years.

I hope young people will become engaged in history because unfortunately there has been a significant disengagement of young people studying history in school in the past decade. It is very worrying that many schools are now dropping history altogether as a subject for the leaving certificate. I am even more concerned to hear of discussions to drop history in some schools for the junior certificate. I believe history should be a compulsory subject at least at junior certificate level. We need to have a debate on the teaching of history. I recently took part in a panel discussion at a television station with a number of historians, all of whom are concerned at the teaching of history at second level.

It is important to note that tomorrow night is culture night and that this House will be open to the people to come in, study the history and appreciate the culture that exists in the House of Parliament. I pay tribute to the Clerks and the staff at Leinster House who will be working here tomorrow night, opening up the people's House to the people. Culture night is a wonderful evening which has been very successful in recent years. I encourage all my colleagues in their respective constituencies to attend some of the cultural events. Part of our strength as a country is our culture and tradition which we should promote, encourage and foster. Tomorrow night is an example of what is positive and good about Ireland.