Gay Mitchell
Ceist:104 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Taoiseach if he will consider commemorating in a specific way, the sacrifice made by the men of the First Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. [26577/02]
Written Answers. - Commemorative Events.
The Taoiseach: The National Day of Commemoration was established in 1986 to commemorate all those Irish men and women who died in past wars or on services with the United Nations. Almost 200 members of the Fusiliers are invited to this ceremony each year. The current ceremony closely mirrors the recommendations of the all-party Oireachtas committee which was to reflect its national importance, to encourage people of different traditions to participate, and to attract the interest and support of ordinary members of the public.
Funding of £200,000 was provided under the Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust for the construction of the Island of Ireland Peace Park and Round Tower and Peace Park at Messines in Belgium, which commemorates the sacrifice of those from all parts of Ireland who were involved in the First World War and which was inaugurated by President McAleese in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II and King Albert II on 11 November 1998. This year, the Office of Public Works and Construction Services Northern Ireland signed a long-term lease with representatives of the Journey of Reconciliation Trust, which will ensure that the park will be properly maintained in the long-term.
Funding from the Commemoration Initiatives Fund administered by my Department has mainly been provided for the commemoration of events of national importance, for example, the Great Famine and the 1798 rebellion. This year the bulk of the funding went towards the commemoration of the Battle of Kinsale and next year it will go to the Robert Emmet Association, which is co-ordinating a programme on Robert Emmet and the events of 1803.
I welcome applications for funding for suitable projects from interested parties and groups. My Department has in the past funded a Royal Dublin Fusiliers project under the Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust and I also hosted a State reception for the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association in Dublin Castle last year. While the bulk of the funding from the Commemoration Initiatives Fund has been allocated for next year, an application relating to a suitable memorial could be considered at a later date.