Ian Marshall (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Last week, this House remembered the disaster that was the RMS Leinstertragedy 100 years ago. With this in mind, I pay tribute to those involved in the events that took place in Belgium and France last weekend for soldiers who fought and died in World War One.Significantly, it was a joint commemoration of human sacrifice by the soldiers of the 16th Irish Division and 36th Ulster Division centred in their last major engagement in the Great War. Among those attending were members of the Somme Association, the Royal Irish Regiment and the Irish Army. They were joined by British and Irish embassy representatives and, uniquely, for the first time, members of the 6th Connaught Rangers Research Group from the Falls Road, Belfast.

I shall quote Harry Donaghy from the group who said:

Bitterness is a very difficult thing to expunge from our political calendar, but I would argue that, in the main, there has been an understanding and acceptance of something that was ignored or forgotten about for almost 100 years.

I shall also quote Alan McFarlan from the Somme Association who attended the event. He said: "We've got the two traditions here, we have a cross-border tradition here today, the Irish Army, and the British Army." In addition, at the service, the exhortation at Sunday's act of remembrance was: "They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old", which was read in Irish and English. The significance of this event is that this was the last time the two traditions in Ireland fought a common cause. Young men from all four provinces, from both unionist and nationalist traditions, were represented and perished.

As we move into this period of remembrance and reflection, we need to focus on shared identities. Poppies and remembrance are about reflection and respect. It is about the human cost of war and not glorification. One hundred years ago thousands of young men left Ireland following promises of adventure and opportunity, many of whom had never been out of their town, village, townland or parish. They were promised that they would be home for Christmas but many never returned. As for those who did, it was not the homecoming they deserved or expected. There was no recognition of their service or valour that they truly deserved.

In this current era of challenges for this country, whether it is jobs, housing, healthcare or Brexit, we all need to work together to fight common causes. I urge the House to remember and never forget the horror of war and conflict. I urge them to ensure that this season of remembrance be relevant to all and completely respectful but not contentious or confrontational, and to consider that any ideology that threatens human safety, security or life has no place in a modern democracy.