Public holiday 'would seriously dilute traditional Easter Rising commemorations'
The Government is continuing to oppose calls for a special public holiday next year for the centenary of 1916.
Sinn Féin has this morning introduced legislation in the Dáil that calls for the holiday on April 24 next year and each year thereafter.
The proposal is supported by Fianna Fáil.
However, junior minister for Arts and Culture Aodhán O'Riordáin says such a public holiday is not going to be sanctioned by the Coalition.
He told the Dáil: "The surprising thing about the bill before us today Ceann Comhairle is that it would move the focus of the 1916 commemorations away from the Easter weekend to the end of April.
"This would seriously dilute the traditional Easter Rising commemorations and there is no demand for such a move. The Government put in place one of the most comprehensive public consultation processes ever seen in this country."
