Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The decade of commemorations is a regular feature of discussions at all levels with the Northern Ireland Executive and the British Government.

I most recently discussed the issue with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers MP, at our meeting of 17 September 2012. This useful exchange of views built on previous constructive dialogue with her predecessor at the Northern Ireland Office, Owen Paterson MP.

I have discussed the decade of commemorations with the First Minister, Peter Robinson MLA, and the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MLA, including a substantial discussion on the issue at a collective meeting on 16 January 2012. I also invited the First Minister to Iveagh House in March to deliver the Edward Carson lecture. This was one of a number of initiatives supported by my Department to mark the centenary of the Home Rule crisis and the signing of the Ulster Covenant, which also included exhibitions on the signatories of the Covenant in Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan and an academic conference in King’s College London.

My colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, is also in regular contact on commemorations with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Carál Ní Chuilín MLA, and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office.

There is a common view among all those with whom I have discussed the issue that the anniversaries arising in the course of the decade should be marked in a manner which respects historical accuracy, promotes mutual respect and understanding and is tolerant of other views. The Government is also committed to ensuring the all-Ireland and east-west nature of our shared history is acknowledged in the course of the decade, and will continue to work with partners in the Northern Ireland Executive and the British Government in this regard.

I am conscious also that many commemorations over the coming decade will have particular significance for the Irish abroad. During my recent visit to the United States, I took the opportunity to meet with a number of organisations to ensure widest participation in the coming decade

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