Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:1 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the events organised by the 1798 Commemoration Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18433/98]
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Commemorative Events.
As we near the close of the Government's 1798 commemoration programme, I am delighted, as chairperson of the Commemoration Committee, to take this opportunity to outline the events organised or assisted, as part of that programme by my committee.
As Members know, it was the committee's intention to develop a broadranging, comprehensive and inclusive programme which commemorated the ideals of the United Irishmen and the Fellowship of Freedom that inspired them in 1798.
With this in mind, it was felt the commemoration programme should focus primary attention on the principles of democracy and pluralism which the United Irishmen advocated. Projects such as the International Conference — 1798 A Bicentenary Perspective, the National Museum and National Library's interactive exhibition at Collins Barracks, the Irish and British Governments 1798 Commemoration Scholarship and the RTE Documentary Series "Rebellion" are examples of projects funded which duly reflected my committee's objectives.
The National Commemoration Committee was also happy to fund projects, such as the Dublin-Belfast Choral Festival, the publication of Wolfe Tone's diaries and the Drennan papers, the Humbert and Merriman schools and the restoration of the William Lawless tomb in Paris. Plans to circulate an education pack to schools are under way. The Film Institute of Ireland's film festival was a great success and the Glencree peace centre is continuing to develop its programme, "From Revolution to Reconciliation".
The Croppies' Acre Memorial Garden at Collins Barracks, opened by the Taoiseach on 22 November, was developed in association with the Office of Public Works, the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and the National Museum, and will serve as a lasting memorial to all those who died in 1798. The 1798 Centre at Enniscorthy which the Taoiseach opened earlier this year, is a shining example of what can be done when State and local bodies work together with a single goal in mind. The centre and its exciting interactive 1798 exhibition will continue to attract a large number of visitors for a long time to come.
Many ceremonies took place over the past ten months to mark the rebellion. One such ceremony attended by the Taoiseach and involving the French military and our Defence Forces took place in Ballina on 22 August to acknowledge France's involvement in 1798. Throughout the commemoration period, funding was made available at local level to many projects throughout the country. Armagh, Antrim, Cavan, Carlow, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Down, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Sligo, Tipperary, Wicklow and Wexford all benefited from funding. Unfortunately, given the limited budget available, it was not possible to fund all the many worthy projects throughout the country. However, I pay tribute to all the local committees who worked tirelessly to make their commemoration initiatives a success.
What was the total cost of the commemoration and on what basis was each project decided?
The total budget was approximately £350,000. There are still some outstanding matters to be resolved. The projects to be supported were decided by the National Commemoration Committee on the basis of their contribution to the tone and theme of the celebration. For example, we were anxious to have celebrations in Northern Ireland, to involve the Presbyterian community and to make the commemoration inclusive. Those were the criteria used in deciding the allocation of funds.
I thank the party leaders and parties opposite for taking part in the debate in the House on 1798. I also pay tribute to the National Commemoration Committee. The non-divisive manner of the celebration of 1798, especially given developments in Northern Ireland, was a tribute to everyone who took part in it.