Ó Snodaigh to publish bill to establish ‘Republic Day’ national holiday

Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh will today publish legislation which calls for the establishment of a new national holiday to mark the sacrifices of Irish men and women in the pursuit of an independent Irish Republic.

Lá Na Poblachta Bill 2013 would establish a national holiday on April 24, the anniversary of the reading of the proclamation of Ireland by Padraig Pearse at the GPO in 1916.

The bill establishes Bord Lá na Poblachta to coordinate a series of events to take place annually in each county to recognise the contribution made by those who died in pursuit of the Irish nation and to raise awareness and understanding of the ideals contained in the key revolutionary documents and events leading to the declaration of the Irish Republic at the GPO on Monday 24th April 1916.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh will publish the Bill today at 2pm on the plinth at Leinster House.