The men and women of 1916 rather than those who took power in 1922 were the real founders of the Irish State and gave the Irish people the freedom they enjoy today, according to the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy.
In an oration at Kilcrumper Cemetery in Fermoy, Co Cork, Mr McCreevy said the actions of those in 1916, particularly the leaders who signed the Proclamation of Independence and were executed, achieved political independence and laid the foundations for the economic prosperity and international role Ireland enjoys today. He said they were the real founders of the State.
Noting recent discussion on whether to have a memorial to the founders of the State, he said those founders "with all due respect . . . were not the surviving occupants of Government Buildings on a December's day in 1922".
The Easter Proclamation "is without question the noble founding charter of an independent Ireland based on pride in a truly Irish nationality". He said achieving Irish freedom had involved much hardship and sacrifice, and may at times have seemed nearly impossible, given the unequal odds.
"But ultimately the attachment of the young people to their native land and their determination to achieve the freedom for which a large majority of the Irish people voted in 1918, overcame the power of a then mighty empire.
"The Irish example was an inspiration to many other colonial peoples. In that sense, we have contributed significantly to the spirit of today's United Nations." He said the achievement of political freedom was just a beginning, on which the State then built its administration, established its finances and began the task of economic development and worked to create better living conditions for the Irish people.
The 1960s brought new opportunities as Ireland began to welcome foreign investment. Joining the EEC at an early stage - 1973 - helped Ireland to thrive. "Our pace of economic development these last few years is admired from the United States to Eastern Europe, in fact all over the world."
He said he had been "uniquely fortunate as Minister for Finance to gather the harvest" of these past developments. "I have been in a position both to cut tax rates and increase expenditure by unprecedented amounts, while at the same time reducing our debt to one of the lowest levels in the European Union.
"The potential, which generations of patriots could only dream of, is finally being realised, as the country is transformed before our eyes." He said the Republic and Northern Ireland had forged a new relationship and it was no longer the case that this State is poorer than Northern Ireland.
He said Northern Ireland needed to share the benefits of self-government based on partnership and inclusion, and working closely with the Republic.
He questioned how much influence the North's MPs had at Westminster, implying that there is a contrast with the influence wielded by the politicians of the Republic. "We, the representatives of independent Ireland, have a seat at the European Council, over which we are currently presiding, as well as membership of the United Nations. This country has a real and direct international presence. Already judged the most globalised economy, we are determined to play our full part in Europe and the world. We desire to retain substantial control over our own destiny, whilst working with our European partners, where common policies and co-ordination will help us achieve more effective results."
He said he hoped and believed that violent struggle would not return to Northern Ireland. "We must retire the different armies, and recognise that peaceful agreement provides the only way forward from here on," he said.
Why it is becoming okay to remember 1916 again: page 12