It is clear that the Taoiseach's incompetent Government has no intention of fulfilling the vision of the 1916 Proclamation. Indeed, everything he does is in marked contrast to this progressive, democratic declaration. We should not be surprised, therefore, that he has also no intention of properly commemorating and celebrating the 1916 Rising.

For three years the Taoiseach offered no plan, no proposal, no idea and no vision of how the State should mark the hugely significant 100th anniversary of the Rising. Last week, under mounting pressure from relatives of the 1916 leaders and growing public concern, the Government produced a glossy brochure devoid of historical substance or detail. I was in the GPO with the Sinn Féin Minister, Jennifer McCann, at the launch. I found it amusing and ironic that the self-serving ministerial speeches were almost drowned out by the noise of anti-water charge rebels who had besieged the GPO.

Your members.

Please, Deputies.

Can the Taoiseach explain to the Dáil why the video that launches Ireland 2016 makes no mention of the Easter Rising or the signatories of the Proclamation? Instead, we are treated to images of Facebook, Google, Bob Geldof, Bono, David Cameron and the English Queen.

Revisionism.

Is this what the Government believes the 1916 Rising was about? Does the Taoiseach agree with me that this video and the flimsy commemorative brochure are deeply disrespectful to the men and women of 1916 and betray a cynical indifference to their sacrifice, ideals, hopes and vision?

Feicim go bhfuil leas-cheannaire Shinn Féin ar ais sa Dáil, ach níl sí ag caint inniu. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Teachta.

Tá go maith.

Tá súil agam go mbeidh sí béasach don Cheann Comhairle as seo amach.

The position concerning the decade of commemorations that we are now entering into is one we have discussed here on a number of occasions. I do not accept that all of the noise I heard down at the GPO was about the issue of water. Some of the personnel I saw there I have seen in other locations when it was not about water.

I remind Deputy Adams that the 1916 Proclamation declares that we should cherish all the children of the nation equally.

Hear, hear.

Remember that.

Yes.

Please, Deputies.

So we are not going to have a situation, in so far as we can, in which the children of the nation are not cherished equally.

There were 1,000 homeless last night.

Those who might have interfered with them will be brought before justice, as the case may be, as the Deputy has often espoused himself. I am sure the signatories to the 1916 Proclamation would not stand for a situation in which evidence or information might be known, and is known, to people but they are afraid to own up because of what they stand for.

Free Staters.

The announcement made by the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, is part of the ongoing consultation in respect of the very best things we can do in commemorating not just 1916 but also the decade of events whose centenaries are approaching. That is why she has already announced that the parade in 2016 will be led by relatives of the 1916 leaders. In addition, there will be a State occasion in Dublin Castle the day before to reflect on and honour those who died in 1916, as well as recognising their relatives. The Deputy is also aware of the commitment already under way for the military archives facility in McKee Barracks, the development and restoration of Kilmainham courthouse and the development of the interpretative centre within the GPO, all of which have been funded and are currently under construction. Arrangements have also been made in respect of opening up the Bank of Ireland in College Green to a far greater extent for members of the public.

In addition, there is a division of interest between relatives in respect of how we should develop Moore Street and the area where personnel from the GPO went and where the surrender actually took place outside the Rotunda. We have been trying to work on that issue as part of the consultations that are taking place.

Trying, yes.

Do not forget James Connolly.

I do not accept Deputy Adams's references to glossy images. What is involved here is a genuine effort to have this recorded and commemorated in the very best way possible. That is why the professional historians' group has made recommendations about authenticity, inclusiveness and accuracy in respect of many of these events. I have heard lots of views about what should happen on Easter Sunday 2016. It is not just about the commemoration of a revolution; it is also about what those signatories to the Proclamation stood for, the kind of Ireland we have had in the last number of years, and where we actually want to be at the start of the next century. It is in that context that the consultations will take place, and the Deputy is welcome to participate constructively in those discussions. If it is to have the background music of the Deputy's fellow travellers - well, that is for him to decide. The Government genuinely wants this to be inclusive, comprehensive, accurate and sensitive. One cannot do that, however, without engaging in consultations with everybody. That is what we are involved in now.

I do not accept one single word the Taoiseach has said-----

Does that include cherishing the children of the nation equally?

Members should stay quiet.

-----except nuair a chuir sé fáilte roimh leas-Uachtarán Shinn Féin. Tá sí an-sásta bheith anseo arís. Beidh sí ag cur ceisteanna. An tseachtain seo caite, seoladh suíomh idirlín Comóradh 1916. Baineadh úsáid as Google translate chun Gaeilge a chur air. Tá sé sin scannalach.

It is very clear to anyone watching the debate that the former party leader, John Bruton, has won the argument about how the Government should proceed on this important issue.

The Redmondites.

It is also deeply embarrassing that the Government used Google translate for the Irish language section of the 1916 website, with the result that the section was reduced to gibberish. It is shambolic and symbolic of the Government's attitude to the anniversary and, more importantly, to the Proclamation and the Irish language. It seems that most of the time the Government cannot do anything right but in this case it is a Freudian reflection of the Government's attitude because it accurately conveys the Government's approach. The reason the Government will not mark the 1916 Rising appropriately is that it is opposed to the social, economic and democratic input and intent of the Proclamation of 1916.

What about the children?

Rubbish.

The Taoiseach should be conscious that the event, despite his shameful official neglect, will be celebrated across the island and among the diaspora by ordinary men and women who will pay tribute to the brave men and women of 1916.

The 1916 Relatives Association said the Government is trampling over the men and women who fought in the Rising. A spokesperson has said the Government does not know what it is doing, that it has had years to plan for this but it was put together in a blind panic. Will the Taoiseach outline how the Government plans to rectify last week's shambolic presentation and to ensure the State properly commemorates the 1916 Rising?

Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil an Teachta McDonald anseo. Mar a dúirt mé, tá súil agam go mbeidh sí béasach as seo amach leis an gCeann Comhairle. Sílim go bhfuil an ceart ag an Teachta gur botún a bhí ann ó thaobh an chórais aistriúcháin agus nár tógadh síos ón idirlín é nuair a cuireadh amach é ar dtús. Tá súil agam go dtuigfeadh an Teachta é sin.

It is an indication of the attitude of Deputy Adams that he found it amusing to be in the General Post Office. I would like to know what his version of commemorating 1916 would be on Easter Monday 2016.

We will show the Taoiseach.

From the questions the Deputy is asking, I presume it would be politically and socially divisive and in keeping with the Sinn Féin philosophy of causing as much trouble as it can without ever having to accept responsibility for governing.

The Taoiseach is responsible for the trouble over the past month.

Sinn Féin members of Cork City Council refused to put through the budget for the citizens of Cork city because they refused to accept responsibility when it is given to them. As Uachtarán of Sinn Féin, Deputy Adams has an opportunity to set out what he believes should be the commemorative qualities.

We have put proposals.

They should be inclusive, sensitive, comprehensive, accurate and authentic. That is why the themes developed here were of remembering, reflecting and reimagining. When looking at the entities of Facebook and Google, we are trying to look outward and forward because we can tie together the entire Irish diaspora, the descendants of the 1916 years all over the world, in commemorating the start of the decade of the centenary commemorative events. Sinn Féin now has the opportunity to put forward its view on how it should be commemorated.

It has been done.

It is not just about military machines on O'Connell Street but about the Irish people. It is about the Irish people and the journey they travelled before 1916 and for the 100 years since.

You are talking shite.

We want to reflect on a country that was left in an economic swamp a few years ago and which is now the fastest growing in Europe. Our reflections on 1916 must bear in mind the words of the Proclamation and the use of our ability to develop our country.

Deputy Adams must own up because the Proclamation-----

The Taoiseach needs to own up and stop the innuendo.

----- points out that we should cherish all the children of our nation equally. That is not the case in Sinn Féin's view.