Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea said he was open to suggestions to commemorate the principles of the 1916 Proclamation during the Easter Rising ceremonies. "We have a window of opportunity in the afternoon after the military parade and before the State reception."
He insisted that the State now cherished all the children of the nation much more equally than in 1916. "We are a far more equal and prosperous society, and an infinitely better society."
John Gormley (Green Party, Dublin South East) said he was glad to hear that there would be a reading of the Proclamation.
"Does the Minister agree that a central part of the preparations and celebrations should be to take the 1916 Proclamation as a yardstick of how we have progressed as a nation?
"Does the Minister believe that this Government guarantees the equal rights and equal opportunities of all of its citizens? Does he believe the Government cherishes all of the children of the nation equally?"
Mr Gormley asked how the Minister thought the men and women of 1916 would feel about the Taoiseach spending €550 weekly on make-up.
Mr O'Dea said that was not an appropriate question.
Tony Gregory (Independent, Dublin Central) said it would be fitting if the principles and aspirations of equality of opportunity, and cherishing all of the children of the nation equally, would have a central and fitting role.
Finian McGrath (Independent, Dublin North Central) said all political persuasions, inside and outside the House, all religious traditions, including Catholic, Protestant and dissenter, should be involved in the celebration. Part of any celebration or commemoration, particularly in the light of the teachings of James Connolly, should be programmes, projects and investment targeted at the most disadvantaged in society.
Catherine Murphy (Independent, Kildare North) said a military parade would reflect only an element of 1916. "The fundamental reason it should be celebrated is not the event itself, but why it took place."
She said more should be done in the context of a solid archive rather than a military history. Currently, those interested must go to about six or seven different locations, including the archives in Kew, outside London.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh (SF, Dublin South Central) said a military parade on its own would be inappropriate. "It is a pity that civic society is not being encouraged to be involved in the 90th anniversary."
Asked by Fine Gael defence spokesman Billy Timmins if any of the people who were in the GPO in 1916 were still alive, Mr O'Dea said he did not know.
Mr O'Dea said about 2,500 personnel, representing all branches of the Defence Forces, together with representatives of ex-service personnel and veterans of UN service, would participate in the ceremonies on Sunday, April 16th. Members of the Garda, representing their service abroad, would also participate. As well as the parade through Dublin, there would be a fly-past by the Air Corps.
