Vol. 488 No. 4
1 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Taoiseach if it is his intention to nominate a member of the Cabinet to be responsible for and to oversee the State's marking of the forthcoming millennium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6242/98]
2 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach when he will be in a position to announce the Government's proposals to mark the new millennium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6306/98]
3 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the Department which has responsibility for the millennium committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6510/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together.
The new millennium will be celebrated in a variety of ways here and across the world. In consultation with my colleagues, I am considering the most appropriate contribution the Government can make to the celebration of the millennium. The Government's approach will be announced as soon as these considerations have been finalised.
The millennium is 21 months away and almost every country has finalised plans on how to mark it. Will the Taoiseach agree it is extraordinary at this late stage that we have no plans yet to mark it? Will he agree the millennium would be an appropriate time to have a significant event or some construction in each of the four provinces?
A number of Departments and agencies indicated the programmes they are following. I hope to ensure this work will be co-ordinated. A millennium commission and ministerial task force or group will be set up to co-ordinate national, regional and local projects. The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation will announce his Department's extensive plans to mark the millennium on Sunday and a number of other Departments have announced plans, such as those involving the Academy of Performing Arts. I am anxious to ensure these plans will be properly co-ordinated through the use of whatever resources are available, as outlined by the Minister for Finance on budget day. Such co-ordination will ensure the success of significant events and community events and projects that will continue into the 21st century.
Will the Taoiseach agree that since independence, hardly one memorable building has been constructed in Dublin or any other city in the country? Will he agree the millennium would be an appropriate time to have the grand objective of leaving something memorable for the next millennium, for people who will be here in hundreds of years' time?
I hope that will happen. I do not envisage a millennium dome being built but I believe significant events will occur and significant structures will be left in place for the years ahead.
I realise proposals have been made for various commemorative projects. Will the Taoiseach ask the millennium committee to consider the possibility of planting a national forest in which a tree would be planted for every citizen? I am aware some consideration was given to such a proposal by the previous Administration but I do not know how far it proceeded. The idea certainly has some merit and would last well into the next century. If oak, beech and other native trees were planted, they would last for centuries.
Hundreds of proposals have been made for millennium projects. Some of these are well advanced and are being carried out independently by many bodies and organisations using their own resources. The Deputy is correct in saying that a forestry project was considered in the past. A proposal involving the signing over of scrubland for use as a forestry plantation is currently well under way. The project will be carried out in the name of the trust which will plant the trees. It is one to which I have already lent my support and is an excellent idea. The idea is that scrubland throughout the country, in public or private ownership, should be donated to the trust and plantations grown on the sites. This is a well thought out proposal.
Is the Government, in its preparation for the commemoration of the millennium, taking account of the fact that it is first and foremost a Christian anniversary which will commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ? Will there be any religious element in the Government's commemorations?
Yes, there will. The precise nature of the commemoration is something on which the various churches have not yet agreed. Churches, individually and collectively, are considering the best course of action. Many proposals do not have anything to do with the Government and the churches hope these will get under way during the year 2000.
I am asking the Taoiseach about the Government's commemorations, not the churches' commemorations. Will the Government commemorations take account of the religious significance of the anniversary?
I began my previous answer by saying that they would.
In what way?
Will the Deputy wait to see the proposals on which the Government is working?
As this is Question Time, it is not unreasonable to ask the Taoiseach to answer my question. If I must, I will wait to see what happens but I would be grateful if the Taoiseach would answer the question now.
The Government has received several good ideas in respect of religious commemorative events and has consulted with the various churches on how best the Christian nature of our country could be commemorated. Some of those suggestions would entail cost proposals while others would not. The Government will attempt to commemorate the millennium in a long-term manner and as a Christian event in the year 2000.
(Dublin West): Will the Taoiseach put it to the Government that this country should not follow the lead of others, for example, Britain, in planning grandiose buildings to commemorate the millennium? A social project for the millennium would be more appropriate to this country. It could be directed towards eliminating serious social problems. It is scandalous that this country will enter the year 2000 with continuing neglect of many working class housing estates. A millennium project which would put major resources into transforming those estates and the lives of the communities in them and which would eliminate their social and other problems would be more fitting. Would the Taoiseach agree that it would be even more appropriate and useful to eliminate the scandal of homelessness and the growing housing lists on the occasion of the millenium rather than grandiose building schemes?
I agree that enormous resources should not be spent on grandiose schemes that are of no lasting benefit. I also agree about the importance of issues of social inclusion and that we should build on what is already being done in that regard. The drugs initiative and the youth initiative to bring centres of activity and leisure to deprived communities are ongoing and useful and I support them fully.
However, there should also be lasting projects which would have beneficial effects. I and others have long spoken about the establishment of an academy for the performing arts and many groups have worked hard to achieve such an academy. There is a project in Cork which deals with homelessness. It is run by the Share organisation which is based in second level schools and is an excellent project for the millennium. These and other such projects should be supported and developed. There are also projects relating to sport, the arts and cultural events.
There will be a limited amount of money for millennium projects. The Government can participate by helping such projects but it should not build up huge expectations that cannot be fulfilled. It will assist in what ways it can and by being directly involved in certain projects.
I do not disagree with Deputy Higgins's comments, but if the project is confined to those subjects this will be a dreary city and country, like Albania, which appears to be the model advocated by the Deputy. There would be nothing worthwhile in this city if previous generations had adopted the approach of this generation. We have left no memorable structures in this city or country since independence. The millennium is an opportunity to correct that and to ensure this generation leaves something of lasting value, not just to look at but from the point of view of utility.
The Deputy should ask a supplementary question. He is making a statement.
(Dublin West): Ridiculous statements at that. He must withdraw——
Please allow the Deputy to continue.
(Dublin West): The Deputy must withdraw the allegation that I want this country to be like Albania.
That is what he is advocating.
(Dublin West): I propose that we transform dreary lives and housing estates.
The Deputy should resume his seat and allow Deputy Mitchell to continue.
I am grateful to Deputy Higgins for that helpful intervention. However, his vision is dreary and it is Albania, which is what he wants. Does the Taoiseach not agree that we have a duty to enhance our country by leaving something for posterity that is beautiful as well as useful?
Of course, and I hope that will happen. However, there are many committees throughout the country working on their own projects for the millennium and the Government hopes to give them all the encouragement it can.
