Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2024
225. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if it would be possible, given an RTÉ documentary on Spike Island suggesting there are unmarked Famine graves there, that the island be considered as the venue for the 2025 National Famine Commemoration Day; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5323/24]
View answerSince its inception in 2008, the National Famine Commemoration has taken place in each province on a rotating basis. The Government, on 1 May 2018, approved the designation of the third Sunday of May each year as the National Famine Commemoration Day.
The National Famine Commemoration Committee, has responsibility for considering and developing appropriate arrangements for the National Famine Commemoration. This commemoration is an opportunity for the State and communities across the country to honour the memory of those who were lost to death and emigration due to the Great Famine.
Given that no part of the country was unaffected, including the communities on our coastal islands, it is appropriate that the National Famine Commemoration is held in a different location every year, allowing for local community involvement which is unique to this national State commemoration.
In line with previous years, the arrangements for the holding of the State commemoration are decided each year following consultation with the relevant local authority and prospective host community. As such, the location of the 2025 commemoration will be subject to the same consultation and agreement.
