Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 November 2012
134. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on his plans and preparations for World War One centenary commemorations; if the plans will involve honouring the memory of all Irish regiments who were active in the war; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51943/12]
View answerThe commemorative arrangements for the Decade of Centenaries will address the political, cultural, economic and social history of Ireland in the period 1912-1922. The experience of the World War in Ireland and of the Irish soldiers at the battlefront will be a substantial part of the commemorative programme.
The annual arrangements for the commemoration of the World War will be complemented by a special initiative each year in the anniversary years in 2014-2018. The special arrangements for the centenaries of the events in the First World War with special significance for Ireland are currently under consideration.
The official arrangements will include ceremonial commemorations, presentations by national cultural institutions and the issue of commemorative postal stamps. These events will be complemented by the initiatives of universities, ex-service organisations and regimental and military history groups throughout Ireland.
The Irish experience in the World War will also feature prominently in other national commemorative programmes – particularly the British and Belgian programmes - and in the programme of international events currently being developed.
