Seanad report
Jimmy Walsh
It looked as if President Mary McAleese, wittingly or unwittingly, had allowed herself to be co-opted on to the Fianna Fáil approach to the next election, David Norris (Ind) said. "I think it's very offensive."
Mr Norris asked for a debate on the Government's plans, whatever they were, to commemorate the 1916 Rising. He said it was important that such a debate be arranged, because the main governing party had launched this issue at its own ardfheis. It was a matter of national importance.
"I think this is something that really needs to be discussed, particularly in the light of the comments, a few days ago, of the President. I have to say that I found her comments very regrettable. She made reference to the Kildare Street Club and a small elite governing the country. She described them as narrow and sectarian. This is not helpful. She showed a complete lack of any historical understanding."
Mr Norris added that the strategy of Fianna Fáil was to try to capture 1916 for itself in order to outflank Sinn Féin. In this context it should be borne in mind that Mrs McAleese had been a Fianna Fáil candidate for the presidency.
Terry Leyden (FF) said he was very disappointed that Mr Norris had brought the President's name into the house. "It is not allowed for any member of the Oireachtas to criticise the President of Ireland, and I hope that the totally inappropriate remarks that he made are withdrawn. It is very unfair that he would be allowed to make these statements. The President is not in a position to defend herself here."
The Cathaoirleach, Rory Kiely, reacted to Mr Leyden's complaint, saying: "We know that, and I did my best to inform Senator Norris of the situation."
Mr Leyden: "I am delighted to defend the President in this house."
Mr Kiely: "The President will always be defended in this house."
Jim Walsh (FF) urged that a debate be held to mark the anniversary of 1916, adding that consideration might be given to inviting somebody of the stature of the President, or some other significant person, to participate.
Martin Mansergh (FF) said the status of 1916 was quite clear. Leaders of all the parties went to Arbour Hill each year to pay their respects to the founders of the State.
One could not possibly describe as sectarian a proclamation which spoke of cherishing all the children of the nation and which specifically referred to relations between the majority and the minority on this island.
*****
The Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Brian Lenihan, said he was prepared to accept what the learned editor of The Irish Times had suggested in relation to his charge that Fine Gael had behaved in a racist fashion over childcare payments for the offspring of non-nationals working in this country.
The learned editor of The Irish Times contended that it would have been better if he had used the term xenophobic, so he was happy for the purpose of this debate simply to suggest that Fine Gael were being xenophobic.
Sheila Terry (FG) accused the Minister of abusing his position by twisting the point that her party had made.
