Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 1: To ask the Taoiseach the historical commemorative events his office proposes to fund and with which it will be involved in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10131/09]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 2: To ask the Taoiseach the commemorative events his Department plans to fund during 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10888/09]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 3: To ask the Taoiseach the commemorative events he will support during 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14061/09]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach the commemorative events his Department will sponsor during the remainder of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15573/09]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together.

An amount of €170,000 has been allocated under subhead E of my Department's Estimates this year to support commemorative projects. This funding is available to assist individuals or groups in organising the commemoration of individuals or events of historic importance.

To date, funding has been committed towards the cost of the Mayo Peace Park, a publication to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the commemoration of the bicentenary of the birth of William Gladstone and a conference on the plural Protestant traditions in Ireland.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Céad bliain ó shin, bunaíodh Fianna Éireann ag Countess Markievicz agus Bulmer Hobson. An bhfuil sé de rún ag an Rialtas comóradh a dhéanamh ar an ocáid sin i mí Lúnasa? The members of Fianna Éireann played a key role in the struggle for independence and many of its members made the ultimate sacrifice. Will the Government mark the centenary this year or support any commemorative events? Is the Taoiseach aware that a major auction house up the road from here this morning held what it called an Independence sale and that among the items put up for auction was the football used on Bloody Sunday in Croke Park in 1920 and an original copy of the 1916 Proclamation which belonged to Rory O'Connor and also letters from Pearse, Griffith and de Valera? Does the Taoiseach think it right that such precious items of our heritage should be allowed to be sold unrestricted with nothing to prevent them from being taken out of the country? Does he agree that the Irish people, through the National Museum of Ireland or the National Library of Ireland, should be given priority in terms of acquiring important documents and artefacts? Given the role of the Taoiseach's Department in sponsoring major historical commemorations, will he ask his Department and also the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to prepare legislation to protect our heritage? What is the position regarding the committee established to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising and why has it met only once since this Dáil was formed?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Some of these questions are beyond the ambit of the original question about commemorative events and whether there are proposals for such events this year. I cannot speak on any individual initiatives or events proposed for this year which may or may not be funded. Applications for funding under the commemoration initiatives fund are made to my Department. A number of issues are taken into account when assessing projects for funding. These include impact, significance and relevance, geographical spread, balance between popular and academic, educational content and viability of the project. I have no information as to what particular events may be supported further during the course of this year other than those I have outlined which have received support thus far.

The question of artefacts of historical importance is a matter for the judgment of the National Museum personnel or of any other public agency as to a decision to seek to obtain or purchase artefacts which may become available for sale through various means and this has been the case in the past. I cannot comment on the specific question about this morning's auction as I have not been given any notice of it.

On the question of a statutory basis for the protection of our heritage, some good legislation has been introduced dealing with archives, items of heritage and of historic importance. This has improved both the funding and the resources which are being made available for these purposes in a whole range of areas, which also includes items of cultural and architectural value in an effort to preserve our heritage in its widest sense.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh referred to particular items of interest which come up for auction or sale. These are matters which are considered by the director of the National Museum, based on whatever existing artefacts the museum holds. I am sure the items mentioned by the Deputy are already in the possession of the museum, if not specifically the football from Croke Park.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I take it from the Taoiseach's answer that there are no plans to commemorate the founding of Fianna Éireann in August as it was not included in the list supplied by the Taoiseach. While I am aware this may be a matter currently being considered by An Bord Pleanála, will the Taoiseach support the call for an emergency meeting of the all-party commemorative committee on 1916 to consider the potential threat to No. 16 Moore Street and the adjacent buildings by the proposed development?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I remind the Deputy that the questions before us concern commemorative events-----

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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They relate to commemorative events.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach is referring to funding of and involvement in projects in 2009. We are not stretching off to 2016.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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There is a committee in the House which has met only once since it was re-established after the last election and met very infrequently during the previous Dáil.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy will have to put down a separate question on that. That is a different matter.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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An historic commemorative event is being planned.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is not planned for this year. I am not trying to block the Deputy, I am merely pointing out the rules.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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We can have commemorative events this year during the run-up to the centenary. The committee was founded to organise a series of commemorative events between now and 2016. This is one such proposal and I was asking the Taoiseach whether he would consider organising such a meeting.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I agree that we have to prepare well in advance for the 1916 centenary commemorations and we will do that. In January 2007 the then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, placed a preservation order on No. 16 Moore Street under the National Monuments Act 1930, as amended by the 2004 Act because the preservation of No. 16 is considered a matter of national importance by reason of the historic interest attaching to it. Nos. 14, 15 and 17 Moore Street were also included in the preservation order to protect the amenities of No. 16.

The statutory function of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government comes into play regarding any future development of such privately owned national monuments, including its physical adaptation for new uses, and in cases where such a monument may be affected by development in its vicinity. Any proposed works affecting the national monument, including any excavation or ground disturbance in proximity to it, require the Minister's prior written consent under section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930 as amended by the 2004 Act before they can proceed. Considering any such applications for consent the Minister is statutorily obliged to consult with the director of the National Museum of Ireland and it is the Minister's intention that any works to the national monument would be the subject of professional review and assessment in the Department before any consent would be granted.

The Department of the Taoiseach is engaged with other Departments and agencies on the preparation of a centenary commemorative programme centred on the Easter Rising. No expenditure will arise in this regard in 2009. The Minister for Defence is chair of the Oireachtas all-party consultation group on centenary commemorations.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Is the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union among the events which will be supported by his Department this year? A statement in the programme for Government states that the Taoiseach's Department has responsibility for commemorations, especially to organise a programme of commemoration activities to celebrate the key historical events in our history through the years 1913 to 1923. Has any list of such events been agreed for commemoration and support by his Department, and what plans has he to engage in a wider consultation on what events should be so commemorated? Does he see any potential, albeit on a limited basis, for North-South agreement on events that might be commemorated on an all-island basis and which his Department might support?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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These matters can be examined. I am not aware of any application from SIPTU on the ITGWU centenary celebrations this year so I cannot comment on the Department's likely response. It is a matter of importance in terms of labour affairs and the history of the country but I am not aware of whether there is an application in under that fund for such a purpose. We will see if there is any potential for examining an all-island perspective to commemorate the events during the 1913-23 period.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Is there any reason the committee which was established to consider the commemoration of 1916 has met on only one occasion since its formation in 2006? Are there any plans for it to meet?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is outside the ambit of this question unless the Taoiseach can be helpful to the Deputy.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The previous Deputy referred to a consultative group within the House, if I am correct. According to a member of the committee it appears that group has met only once. I can ask the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea, who is chairman of that group, what is the up to date position.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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What is the position with regard to the report to be presented to the Government, concerning the re-organisation of the GPO complex? At the ceremony there on Easter Sunday, people were asking questions about the area beyond the main hall of the GPO where there was to be a major reconstruction. I believe this had general approval given the historical significance of the space and the building it occupies. The feeling was that a brilliant museum-type building might be created for the benefit of the people. A development programme was to have been put before Government. Does the Taoiseach have any idea what has happened to it? Has it gone back into the realms of theory or is there a practical programme that can be assessed and a decision made?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is beyond the realms of these questions unless the Taoiseach can be helpful.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I do not have that information before me but I shall make inquiries and come back to the Deputy.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Republic was declared 60 years ago this month by the former Taoiseach, John A. Costello. Is there any significance in the fact that the Government has made no reference to the foundation date of the Republic? Was there any reason for this? Was it not worthy of comment?

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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One may be sure there was a reason.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I have no problem with the fact that the Republic was declared in 1949.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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By whom?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Republic to which the Deputy referred was declared in 1949.

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Aontaím leat.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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John A. Costello was once described as the honest broker to the chains of stronger men.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I have a lot of time for John A. Costello.

A decision was made to establish a national commemoration day in respect of the Famine and to hold the commemoration ceremony in different places around the country. This year, it is to take place next month in Skibbereen, my home town. Was there an application or has any provision been made for funding to support a proper approach being made by the local committee involved in the ceremony? As the Taoiseach probably knows, it will move to different towns as the years proceed. Skibbereen was very badly hit by the Famine. People became known - and some of us are still known - as the donkey eaters, in consequence. Was there any funding proposal or might funds be obtained to support the effort to complete the commemoration properly this year in Skibbereeen?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy noted, last year the Government announced plans to commemorate the Great Famine with an annual memorial day, reflecting support expressed by Oireachtas Members from all parties. The national Famine commemoration committee has now agreed that the annual Famine memorial should rotate between the four provinces of Ireland. It was proposed that Skibbereen should be the venue for the 2009 event, to be held on 17 May. Funding does not come under the small sub-heading I have in front of me. From memory, my feeling is that the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, has been able to assist in that regard.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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To bring the Taoiseach up to date, I am aware that the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, is assisting by attending on the day but he does not appear to be sending any cheque in advance with regard to the commemoration or the costs thereof.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I shall check on that.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Cheque.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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If the Taoiseach could manage a cheque, either directly or through the Minister, that would be helpful.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The absence of money caused many of the problems of the Famine.