The government of the Republic of Ireland’s decision to participate in Remembrance Sunday commemorations in London is “timely and welcome”, according to Conservative Party spokesman, Mark Brotherston.
“The Irish Ambassador, Dan Mulhall, will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph, which is welcome and appropriate, given the contribution of soldiers from the 26 counties during both World Wars”, Mark stated. “Irish men and women, from both sides of the current border, served in the British forces and many of them made the ultimate sacrifice. Huge strides have been made in recent years, in terms of the whole island remembering their bravery, with Dublin ministers taking part in ceremonies in Enniskillen and Belfast.”
“The Republic’s official involvement in the commemorations in London is another important step along that road. It also reflects the cordial relationships that now exist between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, which can only benefit all of the people on these islands and particularly in Northern Ireland. The Dublin government should be praised for marking the sacrifice of brave Irish men and women who fought in the UK’s armed forces, whether it was in the First World War, with one of the Irish Divisions or the Ulster Division, or in the Second World War, when many people from the Irish Free State fought against Nazism alongside British comrades.”