Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The answer to the Senator's final question is "Yes". It is my intention to follow it up because we are inundated with requests from community groups. In some cases, community groups even volunteer to gift us statues. As the State organisation that looks after commemorative events and sites, we cannot take statues. There is a process and protocol that must be gone through because otherwise it would be at the whim of the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW to put up everything and anything across the country. There must be a process. Michael Collins was a democratically elected head of State and Government. In my estimation, he must be commemorated. That will either happen in the short or medium term, but I believe it will happen.

Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan from the Cork South-West constituency raised the issue on behalf of his constituents and said this issue needs to brought to national prominence and that it is not appropriate for community groups for do it. The advisory group gave advice on the decade of centenaries, but it is ultimately up to the Government to govern. In my estimation, the first democratic head of Government has still not been properly commemorated. This must be rectified.