______

An Bille um Lá na Faisnéise Neamhspleáchais, 2017 Declaration of Independence Day Bill 2017

______

Meabhrán Mínitheach Explanatory Memorandum

______

______

AN BILLE UM LÁ NA FAISNÉISE NEAMHSPLEÁCHAIS, 2017 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY BILL 2017 ______

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM ______

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 on 21 January 1919, at which the Dáil asserted the exclusive right of the elected representatives of the 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 , 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 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.

1 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.

2