Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
82. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to reconstitute a new all-party decade of commemorations committee; the timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27286/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to re-establishing the Oireachtas All Party Consultation Committee on Commemorations. I intend to put in place the practical arrangements to re-constitute the group very shortly.
In the period leading up to the 1916 centenary commemorations, the All Party Consultation Committee on commemorations was instrumental in promoting an open, consensus-based and honest approach, which allowed all narratives to be heard and ensured that the State reflected appropriately on all of the major historical events as they unfolded. The work of the Committee complemented the work of the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations which also advised the Government on the approach based on the authentic history of the period.
The Government will continue to mark significant events throughout the second half of the Decade of Centenaries. This includes the Easter Commemorations ceremonies to mark the Easter Rising and events to mark the progress of World War I. For example, two weeks ago I attended commemorations of the Battle of Messines Ridge at the Island of Ireland Peace Park in Messines, which were jointly led by the Governments of Ireland and the UK, in partnership with the Mayor of Messines. On the Sunday of that week, I was honoured to lay a wreath on behalf of the Irish Government at the War Memorial, Armagh, in memory of the men of the 16th Irish Division and the 36th Ulster Division who fought side by side in that Battle. Last weekend I attended a special ceremony to mark the centenary of the foundation of Leopardstown Park Hospital as a convalescent home and hospital for the treatment of soldiers, injured in World War I.
I believe that both the All Party Committee and the Expert Advisory Group have a significant contribution to make in relation to the second half of the Decade of Centenaries and I am looking forward to continued positive engagement and consultation with both groups over the coming period.
