asked the Taoiseach who will be invited to participate in the National Day of Commemoration, who will issue the invitations to participants; if he will give all other relevant details; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - National Day of Commemoration.
1.
I refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave to a similar question on 30 October 1985. The All-Party Oireachtas Committee decided that details as to who should be officially invited to participate or attend at the ceremonies and of the protocol involved were matters for the Departments and authorities concerned with the organisation of State ceremonies.
An interdepartmental committee, under the aegis of my Department, has been established to draw up detailed proposals for the implementation of the National Day ceremonies. This committee will also make recommendations on the issue of invitations to participants and other details of the ceremonies.
When the recommendations of the interdepartmental committee are available I will arrange to have them considered by the parties in this House.
Can the Taoiseach give us any indication as to when these details will be made available and, when they are made available, can he assure the House that they will be made available to the members of the committee?
I could not say when they will be available at present but certainly it will be in good time for full consideration to be given to the arrangements in advance of next July. As regards to whom they will be given, that is a matter on which I will consult with the parties. I would be perfectly happy that they should be given to members of the committee, to the Leaders of the parties, or whatever arrangement is most convenient to the Opposition.
Can the Taoiseach give any idea of what the arrangements will be and with whom he will be consulting?
The committee will recommend certain procedures. When we have those recommendations I will then initiate consultations with the Opposition through whatever channels the Opposition feel are most appropriate for that purpose.
In view of the fact that an inter-departmental committee has been set up, can the Taoiseach confirm whether or not it was a Government decision that members of the Government and senior members of the Army should attend last Sunday's Poppy Day ceremonies?
That seems to be a separate question.
It is a very relevant one.
Ceist 2.
I should point out that the question I put down initially was to the Minister for Defence. It was transferred to the Taoiseach. I am now asking the Taoiseach if he can confirm whether or not it was a Government decision that Government Ministers and senior Army officers should attend last Sunday's Poppy Day ceremonies?
If I might answer that——
No, the Chair feels that that is a separate question and I am ruling it out.