Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We intend to remember the significant historic events and the themes of the period 1919 to 1923 and we will continue to be informed by the guidance of the expert advisory group on the centenary commemorations, chaired by Dr. Maurice Manning. I wish to acknowledge the very significant work the group has done in this area over the past year in formulating its guidance to the Government. We are looking at the group's recommendations and I expect to bring a memo for consideration to my Government colleagues shortly.

I will also convene a meeting of the all-party group on commemorations next Thursday, I hope, to approach the coming period. I think Deputy Brophy has recently joined the group, so we now have the entire group together. I am of the view that it is very important that the commemorative programme over the remainder of the decade adopts a broad focus and acknowledges the military activity as well as the many other dimensions that are interwoven with conflict, including its political, social and cultural impacts. The State's approach will continue to encourage reflection on the multiple identities, traditions and perspectives that are a part of the overall Irish historical experience.

This is a very complex and sensitive period in Ireland's history, and we must ensure that it is remembered appropriately, proportionally and with sensitivity. I envisage that there will probably be some formal State ceremonial commemorations and that they will be focused on significant points on the historical timeline. Some of the details of these commemorations still have to be worked out. There will be historical exploration, community engagement, community participation and artistic endeavours. It will be a very important contribution to the national conversation about these events and the local context.

One of the cornerstones of the State's approach to commemorations in general over the coming years will involve further reconciliation on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain, particularly taking into account Brexit, which I think a member here mentioned. We will also take account of sensitivities across the communities in Northern Ireland, continue to recognise that very different perspectives exist, and try to be as inclusive as we can in the commemorations in this regard. That worked especially well for the 1916 commemorations and we want to ensure that continues. The local authorities and the national cultural institutions - the institutions of learning and the custodians of records - will have a role to play along with artists. I hope there will be a very authentic engagement in this regard.