Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2013
372. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide details of plans to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Rising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48902/13]
View answer373. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 144 of 7 November 2013, if he will provide a detailed report on the major events planned for the 1916 centenary celebrations in County Kerry; if plans are at an advanced stage to mark the anniversary of significant events in Irish history such as Roger Casement at Banna Strand and the tragedy at Ballykissane Pier, Killorglin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49131/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 372 and 373 together.
As I outlined in my reply to Question No 144 of 7 November last, it is my objective in relation to the 1916 centenary programme that it is comprehensive, authentic and inclusive. That reply also outlined the series of items which are being undertaken by my Department over the broad area of commemorations.
In keeping with the development of an authentic programme, I anticipate that all the principal sites relating to the Rising and ensuing events will feature in the commemorations. Local as well as national events will feature and, in this regard, I would encourage interested parties and community groups to co-ordinate their ideas and proposals so as to ensure the optimal arrangements with regard to the historic events in their areas that should be commemorated. Imaginative ways of undertaking these commemorations should be explored by such interested parties and emphasis placed on local participation.
I particularly wish to encourage Local Authorities to utilise their arts and heritage offices as they support and co-ordinate commemorative activities in their jurisdiction.
As I have previously outlined, the commemorative programme is proceeding on the historic centenary timeline. With regard to the centenary of the founding of the Irish Volunteers, I met a number of local historians on 2 September 2013 at the County Library in Tralee to explore the possibility of arranging a lecture to commemorate the founding. It was decided to arrange a lecture to take place on Thursday 28 November at the County Library in Tralee.
The arrangements in 2014 will include commemorations of gun-running events, the formation of Cumann na mBan as well as the founding of the Irish Citizens' Army. Commemorative arrangements for 2016 will be announced on a continuing basis over the coming months, to include certain capital projects and events. This process requires consideration about the most relevant type, scope and focus of commemoration for events and how they should be undertaken. As I indicated previously, it is my belief that the Rising can best be commemorated by placing it in the broader cultural and historical context. In this regard, we have brought forward projects such as the Century Ireland initiative, in association with RTÉ and Boston College, which is already charting the lives of the participants in the Rising from their first appearances in public life through to the Rising itself.
Clearly, the centenary of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic will be a most important anniversary and I anticipate that the special arrangements for the occasion will be of interest internationally too.
As I mentioned in my earlier reply, I would welcome the Deputies' views on the commemoration of the Rising and would be happy to discuss any relevant proposals submitted.
