Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2020
33. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the work of her Department and its subsidiaries to develop a programme of commemorative events for upcoming centenaries, such as the Tan War truce, Treaty Debates and Civil War. [31219/20]
View answerMy Department is currently developing specific proposals and indicative plans for a co-ordinated, cross-governmental programme for the remainder of the Decade of Centenaries. Next year's budget of €5 million is a significant increase of €3 million on this year's funding allocation. It will support the development of a rich diversity of ongoing and new partnerships to further enhance public engagement with this complex and sensitive period in our history. The programme will comprise four thematic strands - State Ceremonial; Historical Exploration; Community, and Creative Expression.
As we navigate through this phase of the Decade of Centenaries, the Government's approach to commemorations will continue to be underpinned by the guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations; and in consultation with the All Party Consultation Group on Commemorations, which I will reconvene shortly. The Expert Advisory Group has published three statements to date, which can be found on the Decade of Centenaries website (https://www.decadeofcentenaries.com/publications/). I would urge everyone who has an interest in the period of commemorations to consult the principles and advice laid down in these publications.
I am committed to ensuring that the State's approach to the remembrance of all of those who lost their lives during this period will be based on the respectful, sensitive, measured and authentic ethos that is core to the Decade of Centenaries programme.
One of the cornerstones of the commemorative programme for the coming years will be to continue to further reconciliation on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain.
The programme will continue to encourage reflection about the multiple identities, traditions and perspectives that are part of the overall Irish historical experience. It will respond with sensitivity to the local historical context, acknowledging that there was no uniform experience within counties or across the island of Ireland.
Historical accuracy, academic integrity and archival discovery will continue to be key tenets as the commemorative programme develops – following closely the centenary timeline of the events that occurred during this period. It is important that our history is faithfully presented, even when the historical record is distressing. We must acknowledge the great tragedy of the lives that were lost or irrevocably altered during those divisive and traumatic years.
Collaborative initiatives are currently being progressed, in co-operation with State partners, our National Cultural Institutions, institutions of learning, local authorities, and creative communities. I welcome and encourage the continuing research of historians and custodians of records, who seek to increase our understanding of the historical events that occurred, which have so significantly shaped our modern life.
Our National Cultural Institutions are uniquely positioned to offer accessible, familiar, reflective public spaces where people of all traditions can reflect on the historical events that occurred. These safe, cultural spaces are in public ownership and, as such, I believe that they have great potential to play an enhanced role in facilitating and supporting public engagement.
Local authorities will continue to have a very important role in driving and supporting community-led commemoration. It is clear that they have already given significant and thoughtful consideration as to how they will plan for commemorations at county and community level over the remainder of the Decade. In recognition of their leading role, I plan to significantly enhance my Department's funding supports to local authorities next year from this year's baseline allocation of €10,000, in recognition of their very important contribution. I will make further announcements in this regard in the coming weeks.
