asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures the Government have taken so far to mark this year as the UN designated International Year of Peace; if any further activities are planned before the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - International Year of Peace.
6.
To commemorate the UN International Year of Peace a programme of projects and activities was prepared by my Department in co-operation with various Governmental and non-Governmental organisations. The main focus of these activities was on the promotion of peace and reconciliation in Ireland. It also took due account, as appropriate, of the wider international peace issues of disarmament, economic and social development and respect for human rights. The programme includes the following:
Adoption by Dáil Éireann on 21 March 1986 of a resolution marking the International Year of Peace.
Special issue in March 1986 of the departmental bulletin Ireland Today, devoted to different aspects of Ireland's contribution to the promotion of peace.
Four public meetings with participation from North and South and from both traditions in Ireland, focusing on the contribution of the Anglo-Irish Agreement to peace and reconciliation in Ireland. These meetings were organised by the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation and held on 3, 10, 17 and 24 June 1986.
Planned study visit to Siamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre, in Kerry by members of the Federation of Irish Societies in Britain, involving the British-born children of Irish parents, as part of the process of bridge-building between the people of Ireland and Britain.
A development educational workshop on links between peace and economic and social development organised by the Irish Commission for Justice and Peace from 30 June to 5 July 1986.
The preparation of a module for primary schools, due for completion in 1987, providing information on the relationship between disarmament and development and its bearing on peace, the links between peace and poverty and Ireland's approach to these topics.
Contribution to the cross-Border inter-denominational Peace Week schools award scheme for primary and post-primary schools, which was specially expanded in 1986 to mark the Year of Peace, on the theme "peace-making has no frontiers", and which was organised jointly by the Irish Commission for Justice and Peace, the Irish Council of Churches, Trócaire and Christian Aid.
While the projects have been funded as far as possible from existing financial resources, provision was made for additional expenditure of £10,000 from a special departmental Year of Peace fund.
In addition to the activities organised or financially assisted by the Department of Foreign Affairs, An Post issued two postage stamps on 21 August 1986 to celebrate the Year of Peace. The Department of Education have encouraged school civics classes to devote a substantial proportion of their time this year to peace studies. A circular to this effect was issued to schools on 29 August 1986. There are no further activities planned to mark this occasion.
The Minister made that to sound very impressive. On 5 December last year I asked the Minister what were his proposals. He said he had a budget of £10,000 for the promotion of the International Year of Peace. Did he succeed in increasing that budget or was he confined to £10,000?
I thank the Deputy for his complimentary reference.
I can assure the Minister I was not being complimentary.
The budget is as laid down in the Book of Estimates — £10,000.
I am sure the Minister was anticipating congratulations. I merely said he made it sound impressive. The Minister referred to meetings of the Irish Council for Justice and Peace. Is that part of the Minister's promotion of the International Year of Peace? He referred to articles published in the magazine Ireland Today and to four public meetings which propagated the Anglo-Irish Agreement. Does the Minister consider that a contribution to the International Year of Peace? That is simply part of the job of the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he is propagating Government policy, but it is not a contribution to peace. He suggested last year that the Department of Education would be the Department to promote peace in schools. At the very end of his reply he referred to recommendations in regard to peace studies. Has anything specifically occurred in regard to peace studies in schools?
The expenditure of £10,000 is from my Department only. I said at the end of my reply that the Department of Education have encouraged school civics classes to devote a substantial proportion of their time this year to peace studies, and a circular to this effect was issued to schools on 29 August last. The Deputy apparently has a very poor opinion of civics teachers in Ireland if he suggests they have ignored the circular. I am sorry to hear that.