Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 March 2015
13. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will inform the Irish people both at home and abroad when she will announce the date for the Ulster 2015 National Famine Memorial Day to remember all victims of An Gorta Mór; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10175/15]
View answerI can confirm that the 2015 Famine Commemoration will be held in the province of Ulster and that the format for the event will have a clear cross-community aspect. My Department is liaising closely with the key stakeholders regarding the logistics and other arrangements.
My core focus, and that of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, which I chair, is to ensure that the 2015 ceremony will be a fitting tribute to those who perished in Ulster during the Great Famine. My Department is working closely with key stakeholders, both North and South, to achieve this goal.
The 2015 Famine commemoration ceremonies are expected to take place in the latter half of the year, and I hope to be in a position in the coming weeks to announce the exact date and location of both the commemoration here at home and of the International Famine Commemoration, which in recent years has recognised overseas locations that played key roles in the narrative of the Great Famine, including New Orleans, Sydney, Boston and Liverpool.
As in previous years, I would hope to achieve the broadest possible representation from all sectors and communities in marking this solemn event here in Ireland. For instance, in previous years my Department has worked with the Department of Education and Skills to facilitate the participation of primary and post-primary schools nationwide in a minute of silent reflection at noon on the Friday preceding the commemoration. Similarly, many sporting and cultural organisations nationwide have also participated in a minute of silent reflection at events taking place on the day of the commemoration.
This year, it is my great privilege to be able to take this most important of events to my home province of Ulster. My Department and I are deeply committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that this year’s commemoration will once again provide people with an appropriate opportunity for a respectful remembrance to mark this pivotal chapter in the history of this island.
