Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2017
319. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to provide either a permanent or temporary exhibition space within State-funded museums in Dublin as part of the State commemoration of the Great Famine. [31396/17]
View answerAs Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, I am responsible for ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place to commemorate the Great Irish Famine. In carrying out these functions, my main focus is to ensure that the victims of the Irish Famine are respectfully and appropriately remembered and also to raise awareness of current food security issues worldwide.
The Great Famine is marked each year at formal commemorations in Ireland and abroad. This year’s National Famine Commemoration will take place on Saturday, 30th September 2017 at the Famine Warhouse 1848 in Ballingarry, County Tipperary.
In relation to the reference to plans to provide either a permanent or temporary exhibition space within State funded museums in Dublin as part of the State commemoration of the Great Famine, the Deputy will appreciate that decisions in relation to any such displays would be operational matters for the relevant cultural institutions or other entities concerned.
The Deputy will, of course, be aware that there are many local museums and other entities around the country that display material relating to the Famine period, the Irish National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park, Co Roscommon, being an excellent example.
