Sir, – Jimmy Deenihan’s comments in his interview with Deaglán de Bréadún (News Agenda, January 2nd) that the Government is actively considering a proposal from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions for an official commemoration of the 1913 lockout are very welcome.
It is important that the role of the labour movement in the creation and development of the Irish State is acknowledged in this way, and it is a poor reflection on us as a society that it has not happened before now.
I do not think this cuts across the very valid point made in Niall Crowley’s opinion piece (January 4th) warning of the dangers of commemoration becoming “a form of nostalgic recall” that serves little real purpose. I think this is less likely with the lockout than most of the approaching centenaries as the central issues of collective bargaining, workplace representation, union recognition and wider aspects of social democracy, including the rights of minorities, parents and children, are still so relevant and contested today. – Yours, etc,