O'Dea is butt of pistol parade joke

A Dáil TD today asked whether Defence Minister Willie O’Dea would lead the 1916 anniversary parade brandishing a pistol.

Mr O’Dea was recently photographed in newspapers looking down the sights of a gun while attending an army training event.

Speaking on a Dáil question on 90th anniversary events for the 1916 Rising, former Greens leader John Gormley asked: “How do you think the men and women of 1916 would feel about our Taoiseach, who spends €550 a week on make-up? That’s higher than the average industrial wage.

"He expects the Irish taxpayer to pay for his vanity.”

The Greens defence spokesman then queried: “How would the men and women of 1916 feel about the movers and shakers in the Galway Races tent who buy access and opportunity?

“Minister, I take it that you will not be marching in the parade. I am surprised and relieved given your past performance. I expected that you would be leading our defence forces up O’Connell Street, perhaps brandishing a pistol, pointing it at the cameras, using it for a cheap photo opportunity.”

Refusing to be drawn on the issue, Mr O’Dea said that around 2,500 members of the Defence Forces would take part in the military parade.

Representatives of ex-service personnel and veterans of United Nations missions will also be allowed to participate in the event on Sunday, April 16.

The procession will depart from Dublin Castle, pass through Dame Street, College Green and O’Connell Street.

“There will be a reading of the proclamation outside the GPO and appropriate military honours will be rendered,” Mr O’Dea said.

A viewing stand outside the GPO will accommodate several hundred dignitaries.

The anniversary will also be marked by a wreath-laying ceremony in Kilmainham Gaol earlier that morning and by a state reception at Dublin Castle that evening.

The National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks will unveil a newly-prepared exhibit relating to the Rising in early April following the transfer of the 1916 room from the Museum Building in Kildare Street.

A special commemorative stamp will be issued by An Post to mark the anniversary.

Mr O’Dea said an all-party 1916 centenary commemoration committee will meet soon.

Plans are also underway to mark the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916, the minister added.