asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs in view of the fact that upwards of one-third of a million of the population of Australia claim Irish decent, if he will outline the plans he has for Ireland to mark the Australian Bicentenary in 1988.
Written Answers. - Australian Bicentenary.
24.
The preparation of Ireland's contribution to the Australian Bicentennial celebrations in 1988 is now under way. In May of this year, the Irish-Australian Bicentennial Committee was established, under my chairmanship, to draw up a programme of official projects to mark the Bicentenary and to promote and coordinate national Bicentenary activities generally. Three meetings of the committee have been held to date.
Already a new history of the Irish in Australia has been published as part of our participation in the Bicentenary. That history, by Professor Patrick O'Farrell of the University of Sydney was launched by Prime Minister Mr. Bob Hawke at a ceremony on 15 October.
The committee has begun consideration of a number of specific proposals for the Bicentenary including the presentation to Australia of a microfilmed copy of the large collection of documents about the transportation of convict prisoners for the period 1788 to 1853 which are housed in the State Paper Office in Dublin Castle. Other proposals being considered include exhibitions and events of broader cultural interest which will reflect the massive contribution made by our people to Australia's development over two centuries. The committee is also anxious to generate as much voluntary effort as possible. To that end, an extensive range of Irish organisations have been asked to get in touch with their Australian counterparts with a view to co-operation on Bicentennial projects. The initial response to this idea has been very satisfactory.
The committee hopes that as many Australians as possible will visit Ireland in connection with the Bicentenary and consideration is now being given as to how best to develop this aspect of the Bicentenary. It is to be noted, for example, that the Bicentenary coincides with the Dublin Millenium in 1988 and Prime Minister Hawke has already indicated that he wishes to have Australia associated with those celebrations.