It is intended, with the co-operation of Dublin City Council, to erect a "National Memorial to Members of the Defence Forces who died in Service" in Merrion Square in Dublin later this year. A tender competition was undertaken to select an artist to design, construct and install the Memorial. The closing date for receipt of tenders was 30 November 2006 and five short-listed proposals were considered. A preferred tender has now been selected and subject to finalising the site for the memorial with Dublin City Council and entering into a contract with the selected artist I expect to be in a position to make a formal announcement in the coming weeks.
The funding allocated to the competition is €175,000. The timetable is dependent on a smooth passage through all stages of the planning process and the construction and installation of the Memorial.