Fianna Fáil leader honours ‘a great Irish man’

A review of the constitution to meet the needs of modern Ireland is needed but reform must allow for proposals which challenge the government’s power otherwise it is more “empty talk”.
That is according to Fiánna Fáil leader Micheál Martin TD who visited Ennis at the weekend for the annual Éamon de Valera commemoration.
Addressing a gathering at the de Valera monument in the town, Mr Martin criticised the Coalition Government’s refusal to acknowledge the 75th anniversary of the adoption by the people of Bunreacht na hÉireann.
He described Mr de Valera as a “great Irish man and a great statesman”.
“We in Fianna Fáil have a particular pride in the fact that Eamon de Valera was our founding leader and it is right and proper that we gather here today to commemorate him. Under him our party achieved great, but far more importantly throughout his career he helped our country to achieve great things.”
He told the gathering that Mr de Valera was “without doubt the most important and most admired Irish person of the 20th century”.
However, he went on, “From early in the 1920s he was subject to a highly partisan attempt to misrepresent him in history… No Irish leader has been subjected to so much abuse from early in his career to well after his death.”
The last decade has seen this change radically, he outlined.
“Historians have used their access to his papers and those of government to show once again a highly intelligent, humane and effective leader. They have shown the accumulated evidence of a person who often embraced change and who earned the loyalty of truly great generation of leaders.”
He highlighted two elements of de Valera’s leadership “which have been a continued source of strength for our country; the constitution and our international standing”.
Speaking about the anniversary of the adoption of our constitution he commented, “The constitution is rightly seen as primarily the result of Eamon de Valera’s determination that this country should have a modern republican constitution.”
He went on, “It is a great pity that the Coalition Government refused to take any step whatsoever to acknowledge this anniversary. They have begun to step outside of the non-partisan consensus on the past which I mentioned and have shown an unwillingness to acknowledge the work of people of other parties at all stages in our recent history.”
Mr Martin commented that it is right we should review the constitution and update it to meet the needs of today.
“However it is also right that we should acknowledge how progressive it was in its day and also key provisions which are as important today as they have ever been.”
De Valera’s commitment to international co-operation was also described by Mr Martin.
“From the first moment he took up office he asserted that this is a country which believes in peace and co-operation between nations,” he stated.
He went on, “Because of Eamon de Valera we have a strong and democratic constitutional tradition as a country which is founded on nationalist ideals but is fully committed to the international community.
“The fundamental principles underpinning the constitution are as valid today as they have ever been. However, after 75 years there is no question than key structural elements of the constitution should be reformed.
“As we saw last year with defeat of the referendum on Oireachtas Inquiries, and last week with the high No vote on the Children’s Rights Amendment, when an amendment is proposed in a high-handed or complacent way the people react very negatively. If the government keeps up its approach of refusing to consult and repeatedly limiting debate, and future reform amendments will find it hard to pass.”
He commented that the Constitutional Convention which will start work shortly is a good idea. However, “What is a disgrace is the imposition of a limit to what it can discuss and a refusal to commit to bringing proposals before the people for a vote… I believe that a measure of real reform of the constitution will be whether or not proposals which limit the powers of government are introduced. Most importantly, will amendments be allowed which end the complete dominance of the Oireachtas by the government? Until the government is willing to allow proposals which challenge its powers all we will have is yet more empty talk about reform.”
He concluded, “Eamon de Valera was a true reformer. He was a brave man who fought for his country’s freedom. He led different political movements which repeatedly won the support of the Irish people. He raised the standing of Ireland in the world and built a republican constitutional tradition of which we should be proud. It is an honour to be able to pay tribute to a great Irishman and a great statesman.