Mr. Conor Falvey:

On the question of public engagement and going beyond academic examination or the work of Departments, there is a provision in the programme for a creative imagination strand which will be very important in the second half of the decade of centenaries when we will be exploring what are sometimes very sensitive issues. In the 2016 commemorative events, for example, the creative element was very important in terms of looking at sensitive issues in a way that engaged the public. Proposals in that area are still being developed but we have a provision in respect of next year to support projects that emerge and we are engaging with various stakeholders on it. We have been talking to RTÉ about looking at the period out to 2023 and developing meaningful creative experiences that will allow people to engage with the issues that are being commemorated. There will be formal ceremonial events, academic or historical explorations as well as events at community level. The Department is of the view that the creative strand is very important from a public engagement perspective.