asked the Taoiseach if he will state (a) the personnel of the committee appointed to make arrangements to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Truce and (b) the terms of reference of this committee.
6.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - 50th Anniversary of Truce.
5.
asked the Taoiseach if any arrangements are being made to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Truce; and if he will make a statement in the matter.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
Arrangements are at present being made for a national commemoration to be held in Dublin, of the 50th Anniversary of the Truce. This does not preclude local committees in other parts of the country from organising commemorations in their own areas.
The Government have set up an informal committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Seán F. Lemass and comprising Colonel Austin Brennan and Messrs. Vincent Byrne, Liam Deasy and Seán Dowling, together with four representatives of Departments of State.
The committee has no formal terms of reference; its purpose is to plan and organise the national commemoration. The committee has already held two meetings and, at this stage, I can say that the main ceremony will take place at the Garden of Remembrance on Sunday, the 11th July, 1971, the 50th Anniversary of the day on which the Truce came into effect.