Dáil debates

Tuesday, 7 June 2011

2:30 pm

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 6, inclusive, together.

I appreciate the Deputy's interest in the commemorative programme to be brought forward in relation to the centenary anniversaries to arise in the coming years, bringing to mind the turbulent period that culminated in the establishment of the State.

The commemorative programme will address and reflect the political, cultural and social themes of the period to 1916, most especially the developments leading towards the Easter Rising. My Department will work with all other Departments in preparing a framework for commemorations. I envisage that this initiative will include an opportunity for all to make proposals and submissions and for a special consultation with parties in the Oireachtas on the draft programme. As the Deputy will be aware, I wrote recently seeking nominations from party leaders for this consultation. I am grateful for their responses and will now make arrangements to include representatives of Independent Deputies and Senators. I have nominated the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Deenihan, to chair this special consultation process with the Oireachtas Members.

As Head of Government, I will continue to have a role in the direction and development of the commemorative arrangements. The comprehensive framework of commemoration that I envisage will contribute towards an enhanced understanding of the political, cultural, economic and social conditions in this most important period of Irish and world history.

Notwithstanding my role in directing the overall development of the commemorative programme, it would be inappropriate to displace the primary responsibility of particular Ministers for the various elements of the programme. Consistent with their assigned portfolios, each Minister will account for his or her contributions to the commemorative programme.

The passing of the generations facilitates original and further consideration of the principles and activities in the revolutionary period. To contribute to that assessment, the initiative will be sustained to prepare for public access to the service records of the personnel associated with the Rising and subsequent years of struggle. These records, the Military Service Pensions Archive, are the last remaining official archive of unpublished material relevant to the period. I believe that these first-hand personal accounts, reviewed and verified by contemporaries, will be of great assistance in reaching a clear understanding of the history of those years.

I would agree with the Deputy that the time is now right for all records pertaining to the period to be released. I am not aware of other undisclosed records held by Departments or institutions. If any should come to notice in the context of commemorative planning, I assure the Deputy that the disposition of any consideration will be towards publication. I will ensure that this commitment is communicated with regard to all records of relevance wherever they may be held.

The principal interest with regard to records abroad has been to ensure that all material is accessible to students and researchers. Recognising that they reflect a shared heritage, I do not know that it would be feasible to seek the transfer or repatriation of all records in Britain relating to Ireland. I am aware the technologies for on-line searching and examination have greatly reduced the significance of the location of records. I believe it would be useful to identify the nature and location of any such records so that they might contribute to the study and understanding of our history.

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