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Niall Carson via Press Association Images

Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are battling to lead the 1916 celebrations

The Government’s efforts to mark the Centenary have been met with widespread criticism.

ÉAMON Ó CUÍV says the 1916 centenary celebrations must be ‘non-partisan in nature’ so they can be cherished by all sections of Irish society.

It comes after Sinn Féin announced plans to book out the Ambassador Theatre for most of 2016, along with a wide ranging schedule of parades, re-enactments and exhibitions.

Ó Cuív (the grandson of Eamon De Valera) said, “The 1916 centenary celebrations must remain non-partisan in nature to ensure that they can be cherished by all sections of Irish society as intended by those that participated in the Easter Rising.”

He added that Fianna Fáil is currently arranging public events to mark the Centenary after a committee was established by party leader Micheál Martin.

“The membership of the committee consists of relatives of those that fought in 1916, members of the Fianna Fáil National Executive along with representatives from the parliamentary party.”

Government plan ‘a shambles’

The Government’s efforts to mark the Centenary have been met with widespread criticism.

The great grandson of James Connolly, James Connolly Heron, described the official plans as a “shambles” and said many of the relatives were happy to support Sinn Féin’s programme.

sinn1-630x420 Pictured are Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams TD, Vice President Mary Lou McDonald TD, and Martin McGuinness with reanactors Jim Roche, 2nd from left, who portrayed Padraig Pearse, and Dave Swift. Mark Stedman Mark Stedman

Ó Cuív said, “Unfortunately the government has left a lot to be desired with its minimalist plan to mark the centenary.

Our work will be focused on developing material and events that explain and bring to life the reality of the Rising, rather than attempting to leverage this great event for party political advantage.

Last year, O’Cuiv said that he doesn’t believe it would be appropriate to invite members of the British family to the 1916 commemorations.

He said it would distract from the significance of the celebrations.

The coalition pledged that events would be inclusive when it launched its official programme last year and it asked for individuals and groups to give their input on what should happen via the 2016 website.

Read: The Rising: Sinn Féin is booking out the Ambassador Theatre for most of 2016>

Read: Invite a royal to 2016? Should we have the Kaiser’s relatives too? — O’Cuiv>

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114 Comments
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    Mute James
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    May 17th 2021, 10:04 PM

    The Labour party, always well meaning in opposition, talk the talk until the get in to government the wou6 make any right wing party proud .

    404
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    Mute TheMinisterForCraic
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    May 17th 2021, 10:13 PM

    How do I run for the election? I could do with a 6 figure salary and absolutely no consequences for telling lies or doing anything wrong in my job. #VoteMe

    327
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    Mute Tessa Madden
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    May 17th 2021, 10:42 PM

    @TheMinisterForCraic: and expenses so you can buy lunch for your cronies without needing receipts!

    183
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    Mute TheMinisterForCraic
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    May 17th 2021, 11:14 PM

    @Tessa Madden: I’ll buy everyone who votes for me lunch. I’ll also promise you anything you want just for your vote. Then when I get in I’ll do whatever I want in terms of decisions, I’ll ignore all of the promises I said and I’ll fill my pockets as much as I can in this short time in charge because I couldn’t careless about the future of Ireland, the future of my own family is all I care about it. #VoteMe

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    Mute Paul Shepherd
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    May 18th 2021, 11:24 AM

    @TheMinisterForCraic: not to mention a fat pension for life after the gravy train reaches the terminus.

    15
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    Mute This time its personable!
    Favourite This time its personable!
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    May 17th 2021, 10:03 PM

    Ivana Back? Is she new, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of her or of her having an opinion no one asked.

    256
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    Mute Neil Neart
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    May 18th 2021, 12:04 AM

    @This time its personable!: Poor Ivana. God love her. She should cop on and get a real job.

    164
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    Mute M. Murphy
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    May 17th 2021, 10:21 PM

    Jesus labour are the gift that keep on giving ha. Alan Kelly in charge and all of a sudden then thobk they have a conscience. Would make ya possibly get them your No.4 vote. Almost. God love her hasn’t a hope and either do FG on retaining the seat, with their voice of a generation ( with supreme Court parents and grandparents) candidate. Both really understand the working man

    223
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    Mute pat seery
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    May 17th 2021, 10:30 PM

    Another Has Been

    171
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    Mute Paul Jude Redmond
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    May 18th 2021, 12:39 AM

    @pat seery: you have to be someone to start with before you become a has been…

    61
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    Mute Paul Whitehead
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    May 18th 2021, 8:13 AM

    @pat seery: Very poor grammar. “Another was”.

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    Mute Conor McNamara
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    May 18th 2021, 9:47 AM

    @Paul Jude Redmond: A neverwasser

    9
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    Mute Jules
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    May 17th 2021, 10:07 PM

    If people don’t get out and vote, nothing will change.

    130
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    Mute The Grand Nagus
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    May 17th 2021, 10:12 PM

    @Jules:
    Vote for who?

    48
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    Mute Jules
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    May 17th 2021, 10:28 PM

    @The Grand Nagus: whoever you choose, but vote. The generally low turnout of voters perpetuates the poor standard of government

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    Mute JongaFe
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    May 18th 2021, 6:19 AM

    @Jules: no it’s the candidates that perpetuates the poor stand of government!

    26
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    Mute Jess Delahunt
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    May 18th 2021, 7:39 AM

    @JongaFe: it’s both

    14
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    Mute Sheila McNulty
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    May 17th 2021, 10:45 PM

    Can’t stand listening to her, still trying to get into Government hopefully not a hope

    152
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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    May 17th 2021, 11:41 PM

    Labour’s vision of Ireland became FGs version of Ireland when in government. Reduced to six seats , thats when they discovered the road to Damascus moment..

    125
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    Mute Locojoe
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    May 17th 2021, 11:51 PM

    Just a question. Has Ivana won a “popular vote” election in the past?

    100
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    Mute Paul Jude Redmond
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    May 18th 2021, 12:35 AM

    Some people just can’t take no for an answer

    104
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    Mute Tuesday Paddy
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    May 17th 2021, 10:05 PM

    Serial loser going to lose another election.

    275
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    Mute Valthebear
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    May 18th 2021, 7:03 AM

    Another well heeled socialist.. Like Mickey D’s daughter, if you can’t win a real election take a handy number in the Senate spouting oh so progressive platitudes that mean nothing. Our political class are useless. Bacik offers nothing only soundbites for affluent liberals. Labour lost touch with working people a long time ago.

    127
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    Mute Henry O'Brien
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    May 18th 2021, 6:14 AM

    There hasn’t been a good leader of the Labour Party since Dick Spring, Ivana puts her name forward in every election that arises, seanad, council, presidentdency and now have another go at becoming a TD, which she has done enough time and not be elected, this by-election is in constituency where I live, personally I can’t see her been elected, certainly not by residents who live in the working class areas such as myself.

    82
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    Mute Shane McGrath
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    May 17th 2021, 10:38 PM

    Zzzzzzzz

    70
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    Mute Fran O'Keeffe
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    May 17th 2021, 10:32 PM

    You have to hopes no hope and Bob hope

    67
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    Mute CASO
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    May 17th 2021, 10:47 PM

    Absolutely useless person. Chocolate teapot springs to mind. Never forget labour cutting the ribbon on a soup kitchen.

    160
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    Mute Cookie
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    May 18th 2021, 8:45 AM

    Bacik has never been elected. That is not going to change.
    As she takes a 70,000eur a year salary from taxpayers for her unelected position of senator, she can properly be regarded as a thief.
    The Seanad is a stain on Irish democracy.

    60
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    Mute Rob Jones
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    May 17th 2021, 10:42 PM

    Bacik is too smart for her own good. Lacks personality. You would never win an arguement against her. Pity as she got bags of potential.

    27
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    Mute Ross McBride
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    May 17th 2021, 11:13 PM

    @Rob Jones: if she was that great she wouldn’t have failed to be elected in any of her 3 previous attempts at a Dail seat.

    128
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    Mute Paul Whitehead
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    May 18th 2021, 8:18 AM

    @Rob Jones: Being an excellent lawyer doesn’t make her a good public representative. She should stick to law and teaching. She has no chance. Labour is a dead party to the working class after IPhone-Joan.

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    Mute John Hagin Meade
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    May 18th 2021, 1:48 PM

    @Paul Whitehead: “Labour is a dead party to the working class after IPhone-Joan.” Don’t forget Alan Kelly and Eamon ‘Labour’s way or Frankfort’s Way’ Gilmore. No way Labour…Just go away.

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    Mute Virgil
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    May 18th 2021, 8:55 AM

    @Billy Big Baws: the comment about her name is uncalled for. It’s a Czech name i think

    13
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    Mute damien mac aodha
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    May 18th 2021, 9:54 AM

    A health and welfare service from CABLE to the grave ??? So when does this service become available?

    12
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    Mute Virgil
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    May 18th 2021, 8:57 AM

    Bacik is head and shoulders in intellect above most Irish politicians which means of course she’s never elected. I’m amazed she’s never got in somewhere. I’d vote for her if I was in DB South. I don’t always agree with her but at least she has ideas

    12
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    Mute Collitov
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    May 18th 2021, 10:22 AM

    Whatever your views on the Labour Party Ivana Bacik is a good opreator with a long track record on social issues and would be a great addition to the Dáil. She does not deserve the negativity on show in these comments.

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    Mute Corkonian In Dublin
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    May 18th 2021, 9:32 AM

    Any prospective candidate talking about house prices from this constituency smacks of hypocrisy.

    23
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    Mute Nick Caffrey
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    May 18th 2021, 9:00 AM

    @Billy Big Baws: Igno rant, rac ist lo ut.

    9
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    Mute Darren Carroll
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    May 18th 2021, 6:29 PM

    She does know and remember labours vision changes when they get into government..what was it… labours way not frankfurts way

    5
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