Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support this worthy and appropriate motion. When we think of where we are coming from and where we are going, the key issue is that we must look back to go forward. The commemorations of 1916 were a look back at the past that has been helpful to everyone. The emphasis on history at second level is very important. The motion is very important because we are trying to arrive at an understanding of what happened in the past. In my local area, monuments have been erected, commemorations are held and books have been written. People have grown up with this and we must take these things on board when we look to the future. While my generation and the older generation take them on board, I fear whether the younger generation will carry on the tradition of having a love of history, Ireland and what Irish people have done.

Previous speakers referred to what is important for their local area. Every parish and community has a history and they all have people who drive on historical moments in their locality. We need the next generation to be informed in order that we can drive on this agenda and ensure everyone knows what happened. It is about informing minds. Like Senator Richmond, I had a passion for history in school. It was a subject I enjoyed, got to grips with and loved. I picked up my political views through education. If we are to inform the youth, we must ensure history remains an important subject because it gives them a great insight into where they can go forward in life.

Senator Conway has tabled an exceptional motion on an issue I have been thinking about for a long time. The purpose of the motion is to try to maintain links to the past and inform the younger generation. My sister is ten or 12 years younger than me. A gap has emerged in the education system since I attended school and I am worried about it. That is why the motion is so important.

Senator Conway is correct that the motion highlights the issue and that something better could be done. We need a greater focus on history, which is the reason the motion is important. I hope it will do what it is supposed to do, namely, enliven the debate and get people thinking about history. I also hope it will lead to a change in the system. Our history, across every parish in the country, needs to be driven on by the next generation. I have a great fear that the next generation does not have the same energy or enthusiasm as the generations that preceded it. We must have this enthusiasm to go forward.

I compliment Senator Conway again on his fantastic motion. I hope it will highlight the issues and we will get some significant movement on them.