Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. A couple of weeks ago on the Order of Business, I raised the 100th anniversary of an event that so far has gone largely unmarked in the commemorations surrounding the decade of centenaries. Since then, I have had the pleasure of meeting a group of the surviving relatives of the Peterhead Ten and have come to realise not only the extent of the sacrifice these brave men made, but also the unique significance of their contributions.

I will give a bit of background to this issue. I know the Minister of State comes from a Border county himself, so he might be familiar with the nature of what happened at the time. On a morning in February 1922, the then British Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, received a telegram informing him that large bands of insurgents had crossed the emerging frontier before entering the Six Counties. Understanding the context of this incursion is very significant. The Anglo-Irish Treaty had been signed in December 2021 and ratified by Dáil Éireann in January 2022 but had not yet come into effect. While Northern Ireland had already come into existence in May 1921, the Free State did not formally come into being until 6 December 1922 in the midst of the Civil War. It was not until the Free State was in existence that Northern Ireland was then permitted to opt out of the jurisdiction. I am sorry to be giving a history lesson but the background is important, as this was a very specific timeline.

The incursion took place before legal partition and before the outbreak of the Civil War but within the context of an understanding that a border was coming and increasing tensions between pro- and anti-Treaty elements of the IRA. Understanding this context is key to understanding the individuals who took place in this incursion, because this group, which was very unique, comprised men who were known to be pro- and anti-Treaty, which was significant at the time. They worked together to achieve a common objective.

Among the large body of insurgents was a group of ten men, comprising five volunteers and officers from Leitrim, three from Longford - Frank Reilly, William Reilly and Joseph Lee - along with the famous Sean Flood from Dublin and Jim Davis from Derry. These were called the Peterhead Ten because they were held in the brutal Peterhead prison in Scotland and were among the last IRA prisoners to be released from British prisons in 1926.

A few weeks ago, I outlined the events that resulted in their incarceration but today would like to focus my comments on the five individuals from County Leitrim, which is in my constituency and is the reason I am bringing this up, who were sent to Peterhead following their capture in this cross-Border raid.

Joseph Reynolds from Aghacashel sacrificed his youth and liberty to fight for Ireland. He was involved in the struggle for freedom from a very young age, having been instructed by Seán Mac Diarmada, also a Leitrim man, as early as 1913. He worked closely with Countess Markievicz.

Following his release from Peterhead he emigrated to the US and during the Second World War he served in the American army as a radio operator. He became president of the Leitrim Society of New York and died in 1987. It was Joseph's grand-niece, Linda McManus from Sligo, who first contacted me about the centenary of their release.

The next man I want to speak about is John Joe Griffin from Gortletteragh and Drumshanbo. He was a teacher before he joined the first battalion in Leitrim. He went on to serve in the newly founded An Garda Síochána – my own grandfather was one of the first gardaí as well – serving in Limerick and Portlaoise. He went to his reward in 1971.

The next man is Charlie Reynolds, also from Drumshanbo. He also joined the Garda after the Civil War.

Bernie Sweeney from Ballinamore was a member of the south Leitrim flying column. He was a survivor of the Selton ambush near Gorvagh in 1921, during which he was seriously injured and six members of the flying column killed. Following the War of Independence and the Civil War he set up a family business in Ballinamore before passing away in 1974.

John Kiernan from Newtowngore was only 19 when he was arrested. He had not been involved in the War of Independence and was probably recruited for the operation because he had a good knowledge of driving and motor cars. After his release he went on to run the family business in Newtowngore. He died in 1931, very sadly aged only 23. His years of incarceration cut his life all too short.

These five men from County Leitrim were five ordinary men who were called on to do extraordinary things. Leitrim was and remains a Border county. The proximity of this artificial border continues to have a cultural and economic impact in the areas where we live.

The campaign is for these men to get the proper recognition they deserve. Unfortunately because they came out in 1926 this falls outside the decade of centenaries. The campaign is supported by Leitrim and Longford county councils. Deputies Micheál Carrigy and Martin Kenny, and the Minister of State, Deputy Frank Feighan, are aware of the campaign. Leitrim and Longford county councils are currently arranging exhibitions to commemorate the event. As it is such a unique situation and because it was such a mixture of pro- and anti-Treaty men fighting in this, they need the recognition they deserve.

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I am glad to be able to update her on behalf of the Department on appropriate commemorative funding programmes available through the commemorations unit of the Department. She laid out very well the background and history to this event. I encourage her to engage further with the commemorative unit in the Department after this.

There are four pillars through which historical events can be marked and remembered including State commemoration, artistic expression, historical analysis and community-led commemorations. The State has adopted a facilitative and partnership approach to commemorations whereby support is provided by the Department to key stakeholders and project partners for the delivery of commemorative events and initiatives. Last month, the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, approved a total funding allocation of €705,000 to local authorities for the development of community-led commemorative events and initiatives. The chief executives of each local authority have been written to and comprehensive guidelines have been shared that will assist our co-ordinators on their commemorative paths.

The framework of commemorations was established to ensure that key historical events and themes could be remembered appropriately, proportionately and with a focus on understanding and reconciliation. To ensure this was achieved, the State established an expert advisory group to provide independent and expert advice to the State on commemorative matters. The committee was chaired by Dr. Maurice Manning and the late Dr. Martin Mansergh was the deputy chair. The group established principles and guidance for the State in consultation with the all-party consultation group on commemorations. The recommendations from the expert advisory committee were very clear and there are a number of main points relevant to the matter the Senator presented today.

The expert advisory group recommended a State commemoration to remember and acknowledge all those who fought, died and were affected by the War of Independence. This moving ceremony was hosted by the Taoiseach and presided over by President Michael D. Higgins on the 11 July 2021 - the centenary of the signing of the Anglo-Irish truce.

Inclusivity is a core principle of commemorations. There is a mature understanding that the impact of the events and actions of the War of Independence did not simply end with the signing of the truce.

There were many individuals, families and communities across the country who continued, often silently, to deal with the ramifications and trauma of the events. There is no restrictive timeframe or established condition one must meet to be included or commemorated. To ensure everyone affected is remembered, all events during the decade of centenaries programme were about the collective rather than individual personalities.

Our approach towards memorials and monuments also aligns with the guidance of the expert advisory group in that, traditionally, the State has not provided support for the provision of new memorials, monuments, plaques, busts or statues for historical personages. It has favoured the creation of permanent and lasting legacies such as resources and research material that can be shared freely with the public to engage, educate and inform.

Local authorities may choose to provide support from their resources to local communities to erect and maintain monuments if they deem it an appropriate approach. I suggest that any community groups or interested individuals who have ideas for commemorative initiatives contact the commemorations co-ordinators in their local authorities. All projects selected for support are required to be in keeping with the principles of commemorations and are at the discretion of the local authority.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. He confirmed I am right that they are still eligible for this even though the period falls outside the decade of centenaries. As there have been a number of different local authorities involved, would it be possible to go between Longford County Council and Leitrim County Council and for both to work together?

Yes.

From here, I need to rally the troops, even in the Seanad, to make sure we are supportive of this. Am I correct that the €750,000 is available until the end of this year? Did the Minister of State say that at the end of his contribution?

Yes, that is for this year.

Does he know if there will be a new round of money next year?

I do not know at this point.

Is the €750,000 for every local authority?

Yes.

It is small enough then, but it is good to know they are eligible to apply because, for the War of Independence, it does not have to fall within those dates. That is great.

I thank the Senator again for bringing up the matter today and explaining the background and history of these events and the people involved so well and respectfully. The State collectively, because of the collaborative approach we have taken, has dealt with this well in recent years and there is capacity through the commemoration co-ordinators in the local authorities. A number of people from different counties were involved, but they will have the capacity to engage and consult one another on any proposal that might be put to them. Today, I encourage the Senator to engage further with them and thank her for raising it.

As the next Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, has entered the Dáil Chamber for a vote, we will pause until he returns to the Chamber for Senator Keogan's Commencement matter.