I have long considered that the unfortunate people, who suffered greatly during various Irish famines, and the Great Famine in particular, deserved commemoration on an annual basis. The Great Famine, which was responsible for the death of so many Irish people and which ushered in the age of effective compulsory emigration that has only recently been turned-around, has had a great impact on the Irish psyche and its impact remains tangible to many of the Irish people. I am currently contemplating a Commemoration programme and would hope to take the matter further in the weeks ahead. I am aware that a Committee for the Commemoration of Irish Famine victims requested all people on the island of Ireland to observe a minute's silence at 2 p.m. last Sunday, the 28th May 2006, in memory of victims of the Great Famine.