Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together.

The Great Famine had a significant impact on Ireland, including loss of life and the transformation of Irish society, as well as establishing an enduring pattern of high emigration and the development of diaspora nations.

The Famine has been commemorated in recent years through the opening of the Famine Museum at Strokestown Park, County Roscommon in 1994; the unveiling of the National Famine Monument at Murrisk, County Mayo in 1997, which was replicated on the UN Plaza in New York in 2000; the installation of Famine figures at Custom House Quay, Dublin in 1997; and a similar installation unveiled last June by the President at the Irish Park in Toronto.

Earlier this year, I informed the House that I was positively disposed towards the establishment of an annual memorial day for the Great Famine. I envisage that the annual memorial day would be organised by various bodies with an interest in famine prevention and-or overseas aid at which the Government would be consistently represented. A recent example is the Holocaust Memorial Day, which was introduced in recent years and which is organised by a committee of representative organisations. I have arranged for the matter to be considered at official level with a view to having recommendations for an appropriate and sustainable commemoration.

Representatives from the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Arts, Sport and Tourism, the Office of Public Works and my Department are considering the appropriate timing and location for a commemorative event and the possible nature of the commemoration, reflecting the historic and terrible loss of life, the significance of the Great Famine for the Irish diaspora and the continuing issues of hunger and food security.

The possibility of financial support for the commemoration of the Great Famine will be addressed in the recommendations being prepared by the interdepartmental group. The interdepartmental group is expected to report shortly on proposals for an annual memorial day.

My Department will continue to co-ordinate the commemorative arrangements with regard to the 400th anniversary of the flight of the earls. The domestic programme this year included, in particular, events in Donegal on the anniversary of their departure in September 1607. Their journey across Europe will be commemorated next year with events arranged along the route and culminating in Rome. Suitable programmes are now in preparation in my Department, working in partnership with the relevant embassies of Ireland.

The arrangements for the annual commemoration of the Easter Rising, the national day of commemoration and the remembrance at the Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge will also be prepared under the auspices of my Department. Other themes and events may be adopted during the course of the year.

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