Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 May 2014
329. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence the changes that have occurred to the invitee list for the State's Easter commemoration; if the list of persons previously invited has changed in recent years; his views on the way that it will change in the future; and if the relatives of those involved in the 1916 Rising will continue to be invited to future ceremonies. [19973/14]
View answerInvitations to the annual Easter Sunday 1916 Commemoration at the GPO are issued by the Department of Defence and, whilst the Department of the Taoiseach has overall oversight of this Commemoration, the Minister for Defence is the host for the event. This arrangement dates back to 2006 when a Military Parade was held to mark the 90th anniversary of the Rising. Details of the format of, and arrangements for, the commemoration ceremony to be held in 2016 have yet to be finalised by Government and, accordingly, at this point in time my Department is continuing to handle enquires received regarding invitations to that commemoration.
In the context of its role in managing and issuing invitations to the annual commemorations that have been held up to now, my Department is maintaining a list of names of those who have established family links with volunteers who fought during Easter week 1916. However, until precise details on the scale and arrangements for the 2016 event are known, no confirmation can be given in relation to invitees.
