Cathal Berry
Ceist:2. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Justice the plans in place to mark the centenary of the foundation of An Garda Síochána in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41671/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 10 December 2020
Ceisteanna (2)
Freagraí ó Béal (6 píosaí cainte)
I congratulate the Minister on her very good news and offer my very best wishes to her family.
My question pertains to An Garda Síochána, an organisation that has played a pivotal role in the life of this State. The centenary of the foundation of An Garda Síochána is coming up in 2022. Can the Minister outline the State's plans to commemorate this historic occasion?
As the Deputy stated, 2022 will mark the centenary year of An Garda Síochána. The foundation of the organisation is one of the key events recommended for appropriate commemoration by the expert advisory group on commemorations as part of phase 2 of the decade of centenaries programme.
A centenary committee, chaired by a senior garda, has been established to co-ordinate the commemorations within the organisation. To date, two significant events have been planned.
The first, which will take place on 7 February 2022, will commemorate the meeting at the Gresham Hotel in Dublin of a committee which decided to form the Civic Guard, which would later be renamed An Gárda Síochána under section 22 of the Gárda Síochána (Temporary Provisions) Act 1923. The second event, which is due to take place on 21 August 2022, will commemorate the "storming of Dublin Castle" by the then Garda Commissioner on 17 August 1922, when the Civic Guard took control of Dublin Castle.
I understand that further plans are currently under consideration. These include digitisation of historic Garda materials to make them publically available online, including a photographic exhibition; localised exhibitions and events to commemorate the centenary of An Garda Síochána throughout 2022; the issuing of a commemorative ribbon and coin for personnel working during the centenary year; the extension of the Garda Museum for additional exhibitions; and the publication of a commemorative book.
I thank the Minister of State for that very detailed and comprehensive reply. I have a few suggestions. The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors is of the view that a commemorative medal could be struck and presented to every serving member of An Garda Síochána. I am of that view myself. A very similar suggestion was made in 2016 for members of the Defence Forces. Every serving member received a commemorative medal marking the Defence Forces' centenary.
Is this something the Minister of State might wish to consider? What are his thoughts on it?
I understand that An Garda Síochána is considering the issuing of a commemorative ribbon and coin for personnel working during the centenary year but I will certainly bring the matter of a medal to the attention of An Garda Síochána as well as something to take note of and take into account. A lot of this is still open for review and consideration, and any ideas of merit would certainly be given consideration.
I have another suggestion. The Garda Síochána Retired Members Association is of the view that an oral history project could be considered. A very similar project for Defence Forces personnel is taking place in the Military Archives in Cathal Brugha Barracks. There is a large volume of testimony and eyewitness accounts from Garda Síochána operations over past decades so, again, we should probably consider an oral history-type project. I am not sure what the Minister of State's thoughts on this would be or where funding for it would come from. Would the project come under the remit of the Department with responsibility for heritage or the Department of Justice? I would be keen to hear the Minister of State's and the Minister's thoughts on this. Would they be willing to consider it?
I know this is an area in which the Deputy has a real and genuine interest. I will certainly bring his idea to the attention of An Garda Síochána. I think the Defence Forces oral history project was carried out in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It is through those records that I know about the actions of my great-grandfather in 1916. We know that oral histories can be extremely important, especially for generations to come, so I will certainly bring the Deputy's very worthy idea to the attention of An Garda Síochána.