Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2014
403. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the contact he and his Department have had with his Northern Ireland Assembly counterpart, Minister Carál Ní Chuilín, to discuss expanding the planned 1916 centenary events to ensure they are all Ireland in nature; if he intends to have further meetings in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25887/14]
View answerI am very pleased to record my appreciation of the ongoing constructive relationship which we enjoy in respect of cross border issues. Minister Ní Chuilín and I meet on a regular basis to discuss topics of mutual interest. Officials from our respective Departments also maintain channels of contact.
As the Deputy is aware, we are following the historic timeline in relation to the programming of commemorative events. Our interest is also to ensure that commemorative arrangements are inclusive, authentic and proportionate. I intend to continue with this approach, in relation to the 1916 element of the programme.
A recent meeting of the All Party Oireachtas Group on Commemorations expressed the interest that Minister Ní Chuilín might soon attend a meeting of this group, a suggestion which I will be pursuing.
