Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Representation of Taoiseach at Funeral.
- Taoiseach’s Representation at Sheehy’s Funeral 16 speeches
The Taoiseach said an Army officer represented him at the Requiem Mass for John Joe Sheehy, in keeping with protocol and because Sheehy was a respected GAA figure. FitzGerald challenged the decision in light of shots and a paramilitary escort at the earlier removal; the Taoiseach said the officer attended only the Mass and was unaware of any intended disorder.
Dr. FitzGerald, Charles J. Haughey, Garrett Fitzgerald, Edward Collins, Frank Cluskey
- Army Ceremonial Events and the President 8 speeches
Flynn sought an assurance that Ministers would not use a ceremonial Army occasion to attack the President; the exchange was interrupted and no answer was given here.
Pádraig Flynn, Joseph Brennan, Garrett Fitzgerald, John Boland, Gerald L'Estrange
- Instructions to the Army Representative 8 speeches
The Taoiseach said he trusted his representative to act with dignity if faced with the hypothetical circumstances raised, and that the officer was simply instructed to represent him at the obsequies.
Charles J. Haughey, Frank Cluskey, Patrick D. Harte, Joseph Brennan
andMr. Harte asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his representation by an Army officer at a recent funeral after earlier involvement in the removal of the remains by men in paramilitary dress and the firing of shots at that earlier ceremony.
Comment on this
On learning of the death of Mr. John Joe Sheehy I had arrangements made to be represented at the obsequies. I was accordingly represented by an Army officer at the Requiem Mass celebrated in St. John's Church, Tralee on Tuesday, 15 January, in accordance with established practice and protocol.
I felt it appropriate to be so represented at the Requiem Mass because the late Mr. Sheehy was a national figure held in high esteem for his long and outstanding contribution to the Gaelic Athletic Association.
Comment on this
In view of the fact that he knew from the national papers before the funeral that shots had been fired and a paramilitary escort had been provided at the removal of the remains, does the Taoiseach not feel that he placed our Army in an invidious position by asking an officer of that Army to represent him at the funeral and by maintaining that request in the absence of any steps to ensure that there would be no repetition of these events at the funeral?
Comment on this
I do not understand the implications of the Deputy's question. I was not aware, nor, I am sure, was the officer concerned aware of any intention to fire shots or to exhibit any unseemly behaviour and——
Comment on this
—— in fact the distinguished Army officer who represented me on this occasion was not at the funeral, he simply attended the Requiem Mass in the church.
Comment on this
Does the Taoiseach suggest that he was not aware of the headlines in the morning papers about the shots fired the previous evening? In the light of that the Taoiseach took no steps to ensure that this would not recur, or if he could not ensure that, that the Army would not be placed in the position of indignity in which it was, by maintaining the request for an Army representative.
Comment on this
Asking a senior member of the Defence Forces to represent the Taoiseach at the funeral of a distinguished citizen, no matter what his political views were, could not be regarded as a slight to the Army officer concerned. It was in accordance with practice and protocol in the Taoiseach's office that this sort of representation should take place. The Army officer in question represented me at the Requiem Mass only. It is a human and Christian thing to be represented on an occasion like that at the Mass for the repose of the soul of a distinguished citizen like Mr. John Joe Sheehy.
Comment on this
The Taoiseach states that neither he nor the Army officer involved were aware that an illegal army would be involved in the proceedings leading to the burial. If the Taoiseach had been so aware, would he have still been represented?
Comment on this
I presume that this side of the House is allowed to ask at least one supplementary question.
Comment on this
——that no Cabinet Minister and no Minister of State will embarrass or in any way humiliate the Irish Army by using a ceremonial Army occasion to launch a bitter, unprecedented, partial and regretful attack on the President of Ireland?
Comment on this
The Deputy is asking a hypothetical question. In those circumstances it would be left to the good sense and discretion of my representative at the obsequies as to what action he would take.
