GERRY ADAMS HAS sharply criticised the Government’s commemoration plans for the centenary of the 1916 Rising.
During Leaders’ Questions, the Sinn Féin leader asked Enda Kenny why people such as Bob Geldof, David Cameron and the Queen featured in the ‘Ireland 2016′ video – while signatories of the 1916 Proclamation failed to make the cut.
Taoiseach, can you explain to the Dáil why the video which launches ‘Ireland 2016’ makes no mention of the Easter Rising or of the signatories of the Proclamation?
Instead, we are treated to images of Facebook, Google, Bob Geldof, Bono, David Cameron and the English Queen. Is this what the Government believes the 1916 Rising was about?
Ireland 2016 / Vimeo
Enda Kenny said the Government is committed to creating an inclusive and comprehensive series of events to mark the centenary.
Referencing the Maíria Cahill controversy, Kenny said he didn’t think that signatories of the Proclamation would have “stood for” a situation where evidence of a crime is known but not reported.
He stated that the Proclamation includes a line about cherishing “all the children of our nation equally”, something he said Sinn Féin had failed to do.
‘Gibberish’
Adams also criticised the fact that Google translate was used for the Irish section of the Ireland 2016 website, which has since been taken down for maintenance.
“In another deeply embarrassing development, it emerged that the Government used ‘Google translate’ on its 1916 website, with the result that the Proclamation was reduced to meaningless gibberish,” Adams said.
At the event launching Ireland 2016 in the GPO last week, Kenny and other ministers were heckled.
Adams said he found the fact that their speeches were “almost drowned out” by protesters outside the venue “amusing and ironic”.
Kenny said this admission was “telling”. He added that Sinn Féin wanted to “cause as much trouble as you can … without taking responsibility”, blaming the party for Cork City Council failing to adopt a budget for 2015 earlier this week.
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