Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2015
510. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Defence if he will make military personnel available for a 2016 commemoration event (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21745/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverall responsibility for the 1916-2016 Centenary Programme rests with my colleague the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Following the formal launch of the Programme in March of this year by the Taoiseach and Minister Humphreys, my Department has been engaged in ongoing discussions in relation to the involvement of the Defence Forces in the various State events that are planned.
As part of the planning process for events being organised by community groups, each local authority has appointed a special co-ordinator to lead the development of the Centenary Programme within their county and to liaise with the Ireland 2016 Project Office which has been established within the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Details of local authority coordinators can be found at www.ireland.ie/community
Plans for community led events, such as that outlined in the details supplied, should be submitted in the first instance to the local authority co-ordinator. As part of this process, local authorities are to submit their programmes to the Ireland 2016 Project Office. Where Defence Forces participation is sought and considered appropriate, the Project Office will contact my Department and, having regard to the scale of commitments faced by the Defence Forces, a decision will then be taken regarding events that can be supported.
The extent to which the Defence Forces can participate in local events will be limited however due to the need to prioritise their involvement in the very significant number and range of State events and other initiatives that form part of the Centenary Programme.
