Ruairí Quinn
Question:19 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the events organised by the 1798 Commemoration Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18433/98]
Written Answers - Commemorative Events.
As we near the close of the Governments 1798 commemoration programme I am delighted, as chairperson of the commemoration committee to take this opportunity to outline the events organised or assisted, as part of that programme by my committee.
As you know it was my committee's intention to develop a broad ranging, comprehensive and inclusive programme which commemorated the ideals of the United Irishmen and the ‘Fellowship of Freedom' that inspired them in 1798.
With this in mind it was felt that the commemoration programme should focus primary attention on the principles of democracy and pluralism which the United Irishmen advocated. Projects such as the international conference, 1798 A Bicentenary Perspective, the National Museum and National Library's interactive exhibition at Collins Barracks, the Irish and British Governments 1798 commemoration scholarship and the RTE documentary series ‘Rebellion' are examples of projects funded, which, I think, duly reflected my committee's objectives.
My committee was also happy to fund projects such as the Dublin/Belfast Choral Festival, the publication of Wolfe Tone's Diaries and the Drennan Papers, the Humbert and Merriman Schools and the restoration of the William Lawless Tomb in Paris. Plans to circulate an education pack to schools are under way. The Film Institute of Ireland's Film Festival I know was a great success and the Glencree Peace Centre is continuing to develop its programme, From Revolution to Reconciliation.
The Croppies Acre Memorial Garden at Collins Barracks, which I opened on the 22 November, was developed in association with the Office of Public Works, the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and the National Museum, and will serve as a lasting memorial to all those who died in 1798.
I think we can all agree that the 1798 Centre at Enniscorthy, which opened earlier this year, is a shining example of what can be done when State and local bodies work together with a single goal in mind. The centre and its exciting interactive 1798 Exhibition I know will continue to attract a large number of visitors for a long time to come.
Many ceremonies have taken place over the last ten months to mark the rebellion. I attended one such ceremony, involving the French military and our own Defence Forces in Ballina on 22 August, to acknowledge France's involvement in 1798.
I am happy to say that throughout the commemoration period funding has been made available at local level to many projects throughout the country. Armagh, Antrim, Cavan, Carlow, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Down, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois and Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Sligo, Tipperary, Wicklow and Wexford all benefited from funding.
Unfortunately given the limited budget available, it was not possible to fund all of the many worthy projects under way throughout the country. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to all the local committees who have worked tirelessly to make their commemoration initiatives a success.
I would also like to take this opportunity of thanking my committee for all its work in developing this broad ranging and inclusive 1798 programme of commemoration.