Written Answers. - Commemorative Events.
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
78
Mr. Broughan
asked the
Taoiseach
if he will establish an environmental fund for Dublin in 1998 and 1999 to improve the open spaces and parks of the capital as a contribution to the end of Dublin's second millennium; and if he will meet an all party group of Dublin Deputies to discuss this matter before the December budget in view of the Dublin City Council's lack of funding for this purposes.
[19479/97]
As indicated in my reply (Ref 17257/97) of 21 October 1997, I am considering, in consultation with relevant Ministers, the most appropriate way to commemorate the millennium. I will bear the Deputy's suggestion in mind in this regard.
As soon as these considerations are complete, an announcement will be made on the Government's approach to commemorating the millennium.
Dinny McGinley
Question:
79
Mr. McGinley
asked the
Taoiseach
if the Government has planned events to commemorate the United Irishmen and the 1798 Rising.
[19518/97]
The Government's 1798 commemoration committee, of which I am chairperson, has made substantial progress in devising the national programme of commemoration. It is the committee's intention to develop a broad ranging, comprehensive and inclusive programme which commemorates the ideals of the United Irishmen and the "Fellowship of Freedom" that inspired them in 1798.
To date the confirmed 1798 events and projects are: Ecumenical Service — St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin on 14 June 1998 at 3.15 p.m. The President and Taoiseach will be invited to attend this event. Invitations will issue from St. Patrick's Cathedral. Dublin-Belfast Choral Festival (Mozart '98 Requiem) — Organisers aim to bring together a large number of singers and instrumentalists from North and South to perform Mozart's Requiem in Wexford, Dublin and Belfast. Tentative dates are 6-8 April 1998. International Conference, "1798 A Bicentenary Perspective" —International conference to be held in the Ulster Museum and Dublin Castle from 20-24 May 1998. This conference will look at all aspects of 1798 including national and international. Wolfe Tone Diaries — Funding has been given to Liliput Press to assist with the publication of Wolfe Tone Diaries which will be published in early 1998.
National 1798 Centre, Enniscorthy — Government's 1798 commemoration committee is working in association with Comoradh '98 on the Enniscorthy Centre, which will be opened in early 1998. A grant of £1.6 million has been approved by Bord Fáilte. National Library Exhibition — 1798 exhibition will run for all of next year in the National Library. The exhibition will look at 1798 from a national and international perspective. Tour de France — to mark the commemoration of the 1798 Rebellion, day three of the Tour de France will start in Enniscorthy.
School Competitions — national school banner competition and secondary school essay competition (junior cycle and transition year) are being planned in association with the Department of Education. 1798 Stamps — An Post will issue a series of stamps to commemorate 1798. Humbert Summer School, Mayo — Funding of £5,000 will be made available to the Humbert summer school in 1998 towards the cost of the publication of the 1998 summer school proceedings.
Irish and British Governments 1798 Commemoration Scholarship — this three year scholarship, which is being funded by both the Irish and British Governments, will be at the Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool and will be entitled "United Britons; The influence of the United Irishmen on British radicalism during the 1790s". Restoration of William Lawless Tomb in Paris — In 1995 the Government's 1798 commemoration committee made funding of £5,000 available towards the restoration of William Lawless Tomb. Bantry Bay Summer School — In 1996 funding of £2,000 was made available to Bantry Bay summer school which was dealing with the theme of the French Revolution and its relevance to Ireland which was especially suitable as it was the bi-centenary of the arrival at Bantry of the French fleet carrying Wolfe Tone.
International 1798 Conference, University of Notre Dame, Indiana — Funding of £2,500 will be made available in 1998 to Notre Dame University to assist with a major international conference on the theme of 1798 which is taking place at the end of March of next year. Lecture Tour of USA — Plans are under way to undertake a 1798 lecture tour of America in April of 1998. Proposed cities include New York, Philadelphia, Washington and Boston. Lecture Tour of Australia — Plans are under way to undertake a 1798 lecture tour of Australia in September 1998. Proposed cities include Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Hobart, Tasmania.
Among the projects and events being developed are: Joint Education Pack — The Government's 1798 commemoration committee is involved in discussions regarding the proposal to produce a joint education pack for circulation to schools, both North and South. This proposal was originally put forward by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland. Scullabogue Ecumenical Service — Proposed ecumenical service will take place in the Church of Ireland in Old Ross. Tree Planting — Commemoration Office is in discussion with Coillte Teoranta regarding the possibility of marking 1798 with a National Tree Planting Day. Human Rights — 1998 is the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 5th Anniversary of the UN Vienna Declaration. The commemoration office are working with the humanitarian aid desk of the Department of Foreign Affairs to find a suitable project for funding. Joint Irish-French Project — Commemoration Committee is pursuing the possibility of adopting a joint Irish-French Defence Forces proposal to commemorate the Humbert landing in Mayo and travels through Ireland. This would also involve Longford.
