Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The previous Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, announced that the Department would re-establish the consultative group on commemorations following its success in the lead-up to the State's commemoration of the 1916 centenary. We need an all-party representation on the group to ensure a balanced perspective on what is a contentious period in our history. Nominations have been sought from all parties represented in the Oireachtas, including Independents, as well as representatives from the Northern Ireland Assembly. We want the consultative group to meet as soon as possible so as to ensure the best possible commemorations in the coming years.

One of the historical events we hope to commemorate appropriately is the founding of Dáil Éireann in 2019. The first meeting was on 21 January and it is one of the most significant historical events in the decade of centenaries and deserves to be commemorated accordingly. The Houses of the Oireachtas is advancing plans for a ceremonial event to mark that. Another period to commemorate is the struggle for independence from 1919 to 1921. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan mentioned the War of Independence, which is the name commonly used to describe the guerrilla warfare fought between the Irish Republican Army and the British security forces in Ireland, and we also have that centenary commemoration.

In relation to the clash mentioned by Deputy Moynihan, we cannot prescribe to local authorities on how they should commemorate events locally. It would be better if they consulted directly with the Department.

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