Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House and commend her on the launch of the commemorations in a fitting location, namely, the GPO. It is a pity that a very small group of people could not see the bigger picture, but what is new in that? I come from a county that is steeped in history. Famous speeches were made in the square in Ennis. Daniel O'Connell is probably one of the most famous of these speakers, and others have included Éamon de Valera and Dr. Moosajee Bhamjee. We have heard from people who have made remarkable contributions. There is a street in Ennis named after Daniel O'Connell. I am glad that the Minister has recognised that this is a national commemoration and that there will be national events and engagement and consultation in every county, because every county has its own history. People from every county were involved in revolutions. I think back to the 1798 rebellion. I visited the National 1798 Rebellion Centre in County Wexford, which is a credit to the people of Wexford in terms of how it has brought the events of Vinegar Hill, the lead-up to those events and the story of Fr. Murphy to life.

Indeed, the rebellion that followed a few years later has been recognised. 2016 will be a great year for Ireland. It will put The Gathering to shame, it will be so successful.