Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

I have two questions on the Estimates. There has been a provision of €5,000 for the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation. Is it not time formally to wind up this forum, which has long served its purpose? Does the Taoiseach agree that what is needed now is the establishment of forums provided for in the Good Friday Agreement? I refer to the all-Ireland consultative civic forum and the all-Ireland interparliamentary forum. Does he agree that their establishment is long overdue nearly a decade after the agreement? Will he wind up the forum provided for in the Estimates and press for the setting up of these bodies with the appropriate funding to carry out their functions?

The second matter was previously raised by Deputy Gilmore regarding the funding available for the commemoration. I do not think it is appropriate to do justice to one of the big commemorations which the State should be holding this year, which is the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Irish Republican Brotherhood. That was one of the most influential organisations, not only in Ireland, but also in the US and Canada. It was very much to the fore in Ireland's political, cultural and military history. Is the Government planning to mark that anniversary on 17 March with an appropriate commemoration?

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