Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 November 2022
78. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to secure a State apology for persons (details supplied) who were shot by Free State forces in Kilmainham Gaol on 17 November 1922. [58194/22]
View answer79. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to secure a State apology for the wrongful execution of a person (details supplied) who was shot by Free State forces. [58195/22]
View answer80. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to secure a State apology for the wrongful execution of Irish republican army volunteers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58196/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 79 and 80 together.
As we navigate the most challenging and sensitive phase of the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023, the Government's approach to commemorations continues to be underpinned by the guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations (EAG) and consultation with the All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations. The EAG has published three statements to date, which can be found on the Decade of Centenaries website (www.decadeofcentenaries.com/publications/). I would urge everyone who has an interest in the current period of commemorations to consult the principles and advice set out in these publications.
I am committed to ensuring that the State's approach to the remembrance of the Civil War and all of those who lost their lives during those years, is based on the respectful, sensitive, measured and authentic ethos that has become the hallmark of the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012-2023.
Historical accuracy, academic integrity and archival discovery are key tenets as the Civil War commemorative programme continues to develop to follow the centenary timeline of the historical events of the period. It is important that our history is faithfully presented, even when the historical record is distressing. We must acknowledge the great tragedy of all of the lives that were lost or irrevocably altered during those divisive and traumatic years.
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 world. The State’s Decade of Centenaries Programme invites everyone to consider the painful legacies of our past and reach their own conclusions – the programme does not seek to communicate a preferred narrative or make judgements about any persons or actions. It is not appropriate for the State to retrospectively analyse historical events through the lens of contemporary perspectives. This is best left to scholars trained in the discipline of history. The guidance of the Expert Advisory Group in this regard is clear –
“The State’s task is to encourage a reflective and a reconciliatory tone that recognises that neither side had the monopoly of either atrocity or virtue and this was true of words as well as actions."
