Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The objective of the Ireland 2016 initiative, which I am leading and which was formally launched on 12 November 2014, is to develop, co-ordinate and deliver a programme to honour and remember those who fought or died in the Rising and to recognise all the people whose lives were touched by the events of 1916. It also will reflect on the legacy of that period and will look towards the future, based on the themes set out in the Government's framework plan. I am committed, together with my Government colleagues, to ensuring that the commemorations to mark the centenary in 2016 will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful.

Together with my officials, I have engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including the mayors, cathaoirligh and senior officials of local authorities, Departments and State agencies, as well as national cultural institutions. I am also engaging with the Oireachtas all-party group on commemorations and the expert advisory group on commemorations.

The relatives of those who fought and those who died during the Rising will play a key role in the Ireland 2016 programme, and I am actively engaging with them to ensure they will have a central involvement in a number of key State events and that their views on the overall programme are considered. My officials and I have met with a number of relatives, including representatives of relatives’ groups and individual relatives, to highlight the important role they will have in the plans to commemorate the centenary of the events of Easter 1916. My Department also is working closely with the Departments of the Taoiseach and Defence to ensure that a full programme of State commemorative events is developed that is respectful to all those who were affected by the events of the Rising.

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