Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department will respond to the suggestion that Ireland honour Mr. Carl Joachim Hambro in view of his contribution to Ireland's struggle for independence and his contribution as president of the Norwegian Parliament to international peace. [3696/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, C.J. Hambro was a distinguished Norwegian political leader in the earlier part of the last century. Mr. Hambro was a defender of the rights of small nations in an era when these rights were far from being guaranteed. His belief in the rights of small nations led him to defend the cause of Irish independence and gave rise to his admiration for Éamon de Valera.

As I indicated in my reply to PQ No. 68 of 27 November 2007, I was made aware of an initiative in July 2007 regarding a proposed commemoration of Mr. Hambro in Muckross House. While I would be willing to lend my support to such a proposal in view of Mr. Hambro's distinguished background, the issue of a commemorative memorial in Muckross House is a matter for the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In this regard, I understand that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government was in contact with the interested party last Summer to indicate that they are not in a position to accede to such a request, but did advise of alternative possibilities for commemorating Mr. Hambro.