I am seeking a debate on the Defence Forces. Yesterday, a Bill relating to those who deserted the Defence Forces and went absent without leave, AWOL, during the Second World War was passed by the Dáil. Earlier today, at a ceremony in Arbour Hill attended by the President and the Taoiseach, the Army was virtually excluded from its own church. The church at Arbour Hill is the church of the Defence Forces. For all the years that there has been a commemoration at Arbour Hill, the Army has been involved. However, specific orders were issued by the Minister for Defence that the Army is no longer to be involved in any way, shape or form in the commemoration ceremony-----

The Senator does not have his facts right yet again.

Senator Daly is way over time.

-----relating to the 1916 Rising and the leaders thereof who were executed. Why does the Minister for Defence, Deputy Shatter, dislike our Defence Forces so much?

Deputy Shatter is the Minister for Justice and Equality.

This is the man who described Irish neutrality during the Second World War as being morally bankrupt

The Senator is way over time.

The Defence Forces are charged with defending our country.

Not only is Senator Daly way over time, he is also way out of order.

The policy of neutrality during the Second World War was supported by the Minister's party at the time. Not only is he taking on members of the Garda, he is also taking on the Defence Forces and excluding them from their own church at Arbour Hill.