Bertie Ahern
Question:1 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach the commemorations, if any, planned for 1997. [23993/96]
Ceisteanna — Questions. - Commemorative Events.
I propose to circulate the following details of proposed commemorations, in so far as they are available for 1997, in the Official Report. I also refer the Deputy to replies to previous parliamentary questions from him on 15 May and 20 November 1996 on commemorations of specific events.
Proposed Commemorations in 1997
1. Department of the Taoiseach
—State reception, hosted by the Taoiseach, on the occasion of the centenary of the Eye and Ear Hospital.
—The annual National Day of Commemoration, Sunday, 13 July.
2. Ongoing National Famine Commemoration Committee Events
—A major art and photographic exhibition on the theme of the famine in spring.
—A major international conference on the famine in Dublin Castle in May.
—A candle lighting ceremony in June.
—The installation of the National Famine Memorial at Murrisk, County Mayo, in July.
—A set of stamps commemorating the famine will be issued in May.
—An ecumenical service is also planned.
—Other events which will be taking place with the support of the Government's National Famine Commemoration Committee includes the publication of an atlas of the famine sites of Ireland and a book on Irish famine manuscripts.
3. Famine
—The Irish Museum of Modern Art is currently researching a number of exhibitions and artists projects which will involve the permanent collection and specially commissioned works on the theme of the famine and associated historical issues.
4. Department of Health
—Commemorations of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of a separate Department of Health (from the Department of Local Government and Public Health) and the appointment of the first Minister for Health.
5. Commemorative Stamps to be issued during 1997 — See TAB 2
Included in the Government's programme of special and commemorative stamps for 1997 are stamps to commemorate the following:
—Millennium of the first Irish coin.
—150th anniversary of the famine.
—Centenary of the birth of Kate O'Brien.
—150th anniversary of the death of Daniel O'Connell.
—250th anniversary of John Wesley's first visit to Ireland.
—Centenary of the publication of Dracula.
—A series of 12 stamps will be issued for the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the State.
6. Defence Forces
A Defence Forces ceremony to commemorate the taking over of Beggars Bush Barracks from the departing British forces on 1 February which is the 75th anniversary.
—The Air Crops propose to celebrate 75 years of military aviation with a ceremony.
—The annual 1916 commemoration, Arbour Hill, in May.
7. Garda Síochána
A Garda ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the Garda Síochána.
8. Aer Rianta
International commemorations for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Aer Rianta customs free airport at Shannon and the opening of the first duty free shop in the world at Shannon in 1947.
9. National Archives
Plans to hold an exhibition in January and February 1997 tentatively entitled. The Birth of the State, to mark the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the State. It will be designed as a travelling exhibition and will subsequently be offered for display in county libraries and other venues around the country.
10. National Concert Hall
Plans to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Schubert and the centenary of the death of Brahms. It is envisaged that these events will be celebrated in a series of concerts.
On a point of order, will the Taoiseach be here for Question Time tomorrow?
I have no idea.
There is no point in asking questions if the Taoiseach is not present; I would prefer to defer them to tomorrow. Does the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Gay Mitchell, know if the Taoiseach will be here tomorrow?
There is no point in asking the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach what progress was made at the meeting with Mr. Tony Blair because he did not meet him. I do not want to wait until January for an answer. I know what the Taoiseach would have said if he had been here.
He would have given the Deputy the full details.