Keith Swanick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Section 2 of the Bill specifies that 21 January will be known as Declaration of Independence Day, and that it will be celebrated annually, irrespective of the day on which it falls. This is an important aspect of the Bill because if we are to give the recognition that these events rightly deserve, we need there to be a consistent date in the calendar. It would be up to individuals, organisations, State bodies, community groups, or schools to commemorate the Bill in the manner best suited to their individual circumstances.

The incredible work carried out in 2016 to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Rising is a template for how major events such as this can be remembered. In 2016, over 4,000 primary and secondary schools, along with third level colleges, participated in a hugely successful Proclamation Day. There was a combination of art, music, drama, song and poetry to commemorate the momentous events of 1916. The 1916 centenary celebrations helped to create awareness about the events of 1916 and the impact that it had on our country. A new generation of Irish people have been introduced to the story of 1916.

As I said previously, this Bill is another step on the journey and it recognises the truly historic meeting of the First Dáil and the Declaration of Independence. Section 2 does not propose to make the day a public holiday, as is understood under the Holidays (Employees) Act 1973. This is something that the previous Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, spoke about in her contribution in July 2017 on this Bill.