Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I have a lot of time for John A. Costello.

A decision was made to establish a national commemoration day in respect of the Famine and to hold the commemoration ceremony in different places around the country. This year, it is to take place next month in Skibbereen, my home town. Was there an application or has any provision been made for funding to support a proper approach being made by the local committee involved in the ceremony? As the Taoiseach probably knows, it will move to different towns as the years proceed. Skibbereen was very badly hit by the Famine. People became known - and some of us are still known - as the donkey eaters, in consequence. Was there any funding proposal or might funds be obtained to support the effort to complete the commemoration properly this year in Skibbereeen?

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