Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2014
261. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way immediate family members, sons and daughters of the men and women who fought in 1916 can be added to potential invitee lists for commemoration events in 2016. [27916/14]
View answerThe commemorations for the centenary of the Easter Rising will acknowledge the service and achievements of the personnel involved, with a special consideration to include their descendants and relatives. I have clearly stated my view that this should be the case and, indeed, have consistently supported projects which recognise the importance of the relatives of people who fought in 1916. In a recent press release, I again emphasised the importance I attach to the inclusion in the commemorative arrangements of the families of the personnel of the Rising. I invited such relatives to send in expressions now of their interest to attend at commemorations in 2016. Their timely responses will be of great assistance in planning for the centenary commemorations. I will be very grateful to hear from people in this regard and to receive any comments or suggestions they may provide in relation to the commemorations.
Communications can be addressed to: Commemorations Unit, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, commemorations@ahg.gov.ie. Expressions of interest to attend at centenary commemorations may also be sent directly to the Department of Defence. That Department has responsibility for the care and management of the service records and archives relating to the personnel of the Easter Rising. For many years, it has maintained a register in relation to invitations to commemorative events. Contact with the Department of Defence can be addressed to:- Executive Branch, Department of Defence, Station Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, executive@defence.ie.
