Vol. 497 No. 6
16 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach the proposed events to be commemorated and the initiatives planned in relation to the allocation of £200,000 in the 1999 Estimates for his Department under the heading, commemorative initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25566/98]
17 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, he has for future activities of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation in relation to the allocation of £80,000 in the 1999 Estimates for his Department; the purposes for which the money will be applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25567/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 17 together.
The allocation in the 1999 Estimates which relates to the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation is primarily intended to allow for the contingency of the forum having one or more meetings in 1999. I set out my views on the future of the forum in my reply to a parliamentary question on the subject on 6 October last.
My Department frequently receives requests for Government support for projects and events of a commemorative nature. The purpose of the funding provided for under the heading ‘commemoration initiatives' is to allow the possibility of such support in appropriate cases. This could include support for some residual projects relating to the commemoration of the Famine and 1798.
