Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 July 2014
32. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of her responsibility for the decade of commemorations programme, her role in deciding to whom the Government extends invitations to attend commemoration events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31272/14]
View answerA variety of commemorative opportunities will arise over the coming period, some of which will fall under State remit. These include lectures, exhibitions, conferences, religious, community and other events over the coming months, all of which will combine to form an appropriate and evolving programme of events. As has been stated previously, many of the commemorative events will be undertaken with the co-operation of partners and decisions on invitations will be taken collaboratively.
As a co-ordinator and partner, my Department will be happy to offer advice as to invitations to be issued, if required, and the matter will be kept under ongoing and active consideration, as individual events arise. My Department recently invited expressions of interest from relatives of those involved in the 1916 Rising in relation to attending commemorative events in 2016.
