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An Bille um Lá na Faisnéise Neamhspleáchais, 2017
Declaration of Independence Day Bill 2017
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Meabhrán Mínitheach
Explanatory Memorandum
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AN BILLE UM LÁ NA FAISNÉISE NEAMHSPLEÁCHAIS, 2017
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY BILL 2017
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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
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Purpose of Bill
This Bill formally introduces a “Declaration of Independence Day” in
Ireland ensuing that it is formally recognised on the 21st Day of January
each year.
The first Dáil met in the Round Room of the Mansion House in Dublin
on 21 January 1919, at which the Dáil asserted the exclusive right of the
elected representatives of the Irish people to legislate for the country.
During the meeting, the elected members present adopted a Provisional
Constitution and approved a Declaration of Independence. Dáil Éireann, a
new national Parliament for the Irish nation ratified and gave democratic
legitimacy to the Proclamation of Independence proclaimed at Easter 1916.
Cathal Brugha T.D. was nominated as Ceann Comhairle who then read
the Declaration of Independence (Faísnéis Neamhspleádhchuis) in Irish. It
was then read in French by George Gavan Duffy T.D. and finally in English
by Edmund Duggan T.D.
In addition on that day, the Dáil also approved a Democratic Programme,
based on the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic, and read and adopted
a Message to the Free Nations of the World, also in Irish, English and
French. The following day, 22nd January 1919, a private sitting was held of
Dáil Éireann which elected Seán T. O'Kelly T.D. as Ceann Comhairle and
Cathal Brugha T.D. as President of the Ministry. The Dáil also approved the
President's nominations to the Ministry; Finance Minister Eoin MacNeill
T.D., Home Affairs Michael Collins T.D., Foreign Affairs Count Plunkett
T.D., National Defence Richard Mulcahy T.D. In April 1919 Cathal Brugha
T.D. resigned and Éamon de Valera T.D. was elected President of Dáil
Éireann.
The British Government decided to suppress Dáil Éireann, and on
10 September 1919 it was declared a dangerous association and was
prohibited. The Dáil continued to meet in secret, and Ministers carried out
their duties as best they could. In all, the Dáil held fourteen sittings in 1919.
Of these, four were public and ten private. Three private sittings were held
in 1920 and four in 1921.
Section 1 — Declaration of Independence Day
This section sets out the date on which Declaration of Independence
Day will be celebrated each year, irrespective of the day on which it falls.
The day will not be considered a public holiday as is understood in the
Holiday (Employees) Act 1973.
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Section 2 — Definitions
This section gives the definitions of the terms used in the Bill.
Section 3 — Short title and commencement
This is a standard section providing the short title and commencement
provisions for the Bill.
Senator Keith Swanick,
16 Bealtaine, 2017.
Wt. —. 330. 5/17. Essentra. (64199). Gr. 30-15.
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