I and the Ireland 2016 Project Team in my Department have been engaged in an extensive consultation process across the Government, State agency, community and voluntary sectors in order to progress the development of detailed plans for 2016. I am continuing to engage with the All Party Oireachtas Group on Commemorations, of which I am Chair and the Cabinet Committee on the 1916 Commemorations chaired by An Taoiseach.
I am engaging with the National Cultural Institutions, and other key bodies and agencies to ensure that a comprehensive and diverse cultural programme is developed. Meetings and a dedicated workshop have been held with a wide range of Irish language groups in order to develop an ambitious Irish language programme which was launched last week.
I have met with the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and representatives from each of the 31 local authorities and I am delighted at the level of interest and enthusiasm for the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme at local and county level. A series of 84 public meetings around the country have taken place, facilitated by the local authorities in conjunction with the Ireland 2016 Project Team. Arising from this, I, together with An Taoiseach and my colleagues in Government, launched 31 local authority plans on 8th October.
I am actively engaging with representatives of the various relatives groups and individual relatives to ensure that they will have a central role in a number of key State events. The Ireland 2016 Project Team meet regularly with the 1916 Relative’s Association and engagement is positive to date and a good working relationship is in place.
The programme reflects the complexity and diversity of our history and of Ireland today. As with all the key events in this Decade of Centenaries, this inclusive approach gives people across the island of Ireland the opportunity to explore, reflect on and build greater understanding of and respect for the many intertwined traditions on this island.
I, my officials and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have been meeting with various interested groups and organisations in Northern Ireland over the last number of months including local authorities to inform them of the various elements of the programme and I hope that people can engage with the various aspects of the programme that interest them in an appropriate way.
For example, earlier this year, my team presented the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme in Queens University which was supported by the Community Relations Council and I was heartened to hear at the level of engagement from all communities represented at that public meeting. I look forward to continued engagement on this over the course of the next few months.
I and the Ireland 2016 project Team very much appreciate the enthusiasm and positive engagement from all stakeholders and look forward to continuing to build on these successful partnerships as the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme develops.
