The coalition government of 1973–77, in particular the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, Conor Cruise O'Brien, began to promote the view that the violence of 1916 was essentially no different from the violence then taking place in the streets of Belfast and Derry.
Koalitionsregeringen 1973-77 og specielt minister for post og telegrafi Conor Cruise O´Brien begyndte at promovere det synspunkt, at volden under påskeopstanden ikke var væsensforskellig fra den i Belfast og Derry.