Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 September 2017
78. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the commemorations that are planned or being co-ordinated in her Department for 2018; and her plans to commemorate the Good Friday Agreement's 20th anniversary. [40541/17]
View answerThe Government will continue to mark significant events throughout the Decade of Centenaries based on the inclusive, open and consultative approach that has become the hallmark of the Decade of Centenaries commemorative programme. The Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations will continue to advise and support the Government in its plans.
A number of significant historical events took place in 1918, which will be marked by the State next year, including but not limited to:
- The death of John Redmond on 6 March 1918;
- The great loss of life which resulted from the sinking of the RMS Leinster on 10 October 1918;
- The ending of World War I; and
- The outbreak of the Spanish Flu pandemic
Next year, the State will also mark the centenary of the introduction of universal suffrage, when, for the first time, women were allowed to vote in the General Election of 1918. 2018 also marks 100 years of women in Irish political life and Sinéad McCoole, who previously curated the Women of 1916 Exhibition, is working with my Department to develop a special exhibition to mark this occasion.
I can advise the Deputy that appropriate plans to mark the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement will be developed, in consultation with my Government colleagues, key officials and the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations.
