Pat Rabbitte
Question:6 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the proposals the Government has for a commemoration ceremony for the 1916 Rising at Easter 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28251/06]
View answerTuesday, 14 November 2006
Questions (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
Pat Rabbitte
Question:7 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if the Government has plans to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the meeting of the first Dáil in January 1919; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28252/06]
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:8 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the commemorative events planned by his Department for 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30578/06]
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Enda Kenny
Question:9 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach his proposals for significant commemorative events, planned for the coming 12-month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30790/06]
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Trevor Sargent
Question:10 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the Government’s plans for commemorative events in 2007 and 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34121/06]
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:11 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach his plans to commemorate the 91st anniversary of the 1916 Rising in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34610/06]
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Joe Higgins
Question:12 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach the Government’s plans for commemorative events in 2007. [35925/06]
View answerOral answers (5 contributions)
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 12, inclusive, together.
The commemorative programme organised for the 90th anniversary of the rising has been very successfully implemented this year. I am satisfied that the national response and appreciation justified the considerable effort. I thank the all-party Oireachtas group for its support in developing the programme. It contributed significantly to achieving the appropriate balance and content in the commemorations.
I propose that arrangements for 2007 and the years continuing toward the centenary be discussed by the all-party group before the Government adopts any particular proposals with regard to this important strand of our national history. Without prejudice to this consultation, I am inclined towards the development of an alternative military ceremonial, centred on the GPO, involving a sustainable commitment for the Defence Forces over the coming years towards the centenary. I would be satisfied to include the commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the first Dáil among the issues to be considered by the all-party group.
As we progress in the 21st century across the centenary anniversaries of the salient events of the social, cultural and political movement towards independence, it is important that we sustain a consensus view on a suitable commemorative programme. Our history is deeper and anniversaries arise of events across many centuries. There will be many other commemorative initiatives besides the centenary programme for the rising. Officials in my Department are looking at a number of interesting possibilities. Having regard to the many possible themes and treatments, including programmes of events abroad, and mindful of previous commemorations, separate announcements will issue in this regard over the coming months from my office and from other Ministers.
I take it that no new commemorations are contemplated. May I ask the Taoiseach about the campaign that has been under way for some time for an appropriate commemoration of the Famine and whether the Government has formed any view on that issue? The view of those campaigning is that the Government is positive towards it. That may be down to the Taoiseach's easy facility to communicate positive vibes when the situation is otherwise. If it is positive, which it should be, he will, no doubt, tell me.
Did I understand that the Government may contemplate commemorations of 1916 outside key anniversaries in some non-military fashion? Does the Taoiseach contemplate such a non-military commemoration for 2007? Did he say this is subject to consultation with other parties? My colleague, Deputy McManus, advises me that the all-party committee met once last Easter but has not met since. Will the Taoiseach clarify whether the Government intends to proceed with a commemoration next year? Is he saying a commemoration of the first Dáil is not ruled out by the Government and that, in the relevant year, this significant landmark development in our history is likely to be commemorated?
I said I propose the arrangements for 2007 and the years approaching the centenary will be discussed at the all-party group before the Government adopts particular proposals as regards this important strand of our national history. Included in that debate will be the 90th anniversary of the first Dáil. The 75th anniversary was commemorated in the Mansion House in 1994, so the question is when another one should be held. If the committee feels strongly we should, I will be supportive.
As regards 1916, I said, without prejudice to consultation I believe should take place within the committee, I currently favour the development of an alternative military ceremony centred on the GPO. This, however, will not be a large military parade which would require the largescale resources and commitment of the Army.
There will be no main alternative to a military parade.
No, what I envisage is a military parade, but much smaller in numbers. Perhaps it should be built around an occasion, rather than a full military parade. What happened this year would not be sustainable for every anniversary of Easter Week. Nonetheless, there should be a commemorative event each year, but it does not have to be on the same scale.
As regards the Famine, I have met representatives from some of the groups that have written to me. If we can find a suitable way to commemorate it, I would be in favour. Deputy Rabbitte is aware that the suggestions vary from a national holiday, to a designated day of remembrance to annual and localised commemorations. I have told those involved that if we can agree on a particular event, I will consider it. However, there is a range of events every year. Some 20 years ago this House did a very good job in introducing a national day of commemoration that covers many events, particularly people who died at home or abroad, either under the Irish flag or that of the United Nations. Every year there is a great amount of pressure for commemorations. It is a good thing that we commemorate such events, and the list of programmes is already in place for next year, many of which will have commemorative stamps and events.
There is the 400th anniversary of the Flight of the Earls, the 400th anniversary of St. Anthony's College, Louvain, the 350th anniversary of the death of Luke Wadding, the 400th anniversary of the Honourable Society of King's Inns, the 150th anniversary of the opening of the National History Museum, the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, the centenary of the national anthem, the 300th anniversary of the birth of John Wesley's younger brother, Charles and the 50th anniversary of the Institute of Public Administration. There is the Viking heritage and a visit to a reconstructed longship in 2007, to commemorate the eighth to 11th centuries. There is passionate interest in these by groups which make tremendous presentations to me. Whatever Deputy Rabbitte believes about my ability to make them feel good, most of them will be highly annoyed that I will not devote the entire commemorative budget to their respective needs. He will appreciate there is a small amount of resources available. Every year I find myself giving bad news to ten or 15 organisations, and we pick very few. That is the hard reality