Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that planning for Ireland's first national missing persons day is at an advanced stage with an inaugural event to be held at Farmleigh House, Dublin on the morning of Wednesday, 4 December 2013. I am pleased we have been able to advance rapidly a proposal from Davis College and missing persons representative groups, who also sought such an event. The initiative of Davis College was extremely important.

The missing persons day is being developed with a number of objectives. First and foremost, it is intended the day will recognise and remember those who have gone missing and the lasting trauma and impact on their families and friends. The day will also draw public attention to open or unsolved missing persons cases with the possibility that new information may come to light. It is also intended to highlight information on the range of support services available and to recognise the contribution of the voluntary groups that provide support in the community to families, as well as the many organisations involved in land, mountain, sea and river rescue. It is also my intention to promote the proposal I made during the Irish Presidency for a European-wide event and to call attention to Ireland's missing persons day as the basis for similar initiatives across Europe. We have had contacts with a number of our European partner countries in this context. I look forward to joining with the Garda Commissioner, the families and friends of missing persons, and the many voluntary organisations working in our communities on this important occasion of remembrance and support.

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