Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if he will elaborate on the programme for Government commitment to develop a cultural plan for future commemorative events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6187/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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National commemorative programmes are addressed in the first instance by the Department of the Taoiseach in consultation with other Departments and agencies. Having regard to each particular commemorative initiative, implementation arrangements for programmes and events are agreed following consideration of the roles of the interested Departments and agencies.

My Department provides organisational and other support to the lead Department for national commemorative programmes and events in the context of cultural content. To date, this has included advice on cultural issues and certain special exhibitions arranged in the cultural institutions. My Department has also been able previously to contribute towards cultural initiatives that compliment official programmes.

Without prejudice to other possible initiatives in the period, the principal commemorative programme in the coming years will relate to the centenary anniversaries of the struggle for national independence, culminating in the Easter Rising of 1916. My Department will be closely engaged to ensure the programme under development will include scope for cultural presentations not only reflecting the traditions and perspectives of the period, but also inviting new perspectives and considerations of this important history.

The initial steps in the development of the national commemorative programme were brought to the attention of an Oireachtas all-party consultation group. This inclusive and consultative approach is appropriate for the commemoration of our shared national history. Both Deputy Ó Snodaigh and I were members of that group.

In approving either non-national cultural commemorations or in suggesting components of national commemorations, I will focus on the need to mark appropriately and accurately significant events or personalities in our cultural pantheon. With regard to cultural commemorations that may fall solely within my remit, the relative significance and cross-community resonances of the event or the personality in question will have a major bearing on whether a commemorative event or project can be considered. Even then, it may not be possible in these times of financial austerity to fund every proposal that is brought forward.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I wish the Minister well with the work in front of him. I encourage him to put this name forward to be the lead Minister on commemorations because he has an interest in this area. In the past, the Minister for Defence worked with the Taoiseach on the 1916 commemorative committees. However, these events would be more appropriate to the Minister's remit. Given the major challenges we face, it is a key programme. I suggest that, as the Minister with responsibility for heritage, Deputy Deenihan should consider the area of Moore Street and the proposals made by the families. Will the Minister meet the families of the signatories and consider the proposals made in terms of saving what is left of Moore Street and its tie-in with 1916? Will the Minister consider properties owned by the OPW and relevant to our revolutionary past? We are approaching 100 years of commemoration, from 1913 to the founding of the State, where we can look at the past and learn lessons from it. Major commemorative events can be identified and I hope the Minister and the Taoiseach can produce a list of key commemorative events. Forthcoming events require a great deal of planning and will not be planned in the months before. Planning must be done many years ahead. The 1916 commemoration is not too far away, given the size of the commemorative event. The 1913 lock-out, the founding of the Irish Volunteers and the National Volunteers and the Fenian rising are other such events. Events took place in Kerry during the Fenian rising that are often forgotten about. Across the country, local areas will look to the Minister on this point. I hope money will be found because tourism can benefit from this.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for his remarks. Perhaps he will advise the Taoiseach along those lines. We served on that Oireachtas committee and I thought it was quite effective whenever it met, which was not too often. The important point for the 1916 commemoration is that it should be inclusive. All Members in this House share roots in 1916. All parties go back to 1916 for their origins. The events of 1916 led to our current Republic and the State. That is the reason we are here. It has major implications for this country and it is important to celebrate in an inclusive, proper and dignified way. We should recognise the major sacrifices made by the people at that time. In hindsight, it looks easy, but we must consider that these people had the courage to take on the most powerful empire at the time when no other nation had done so. This highlights the significance of their achievement. Having established the principle of inclusivity and the importance of celebrating this properly, other issues must be examined. We must do this soon.

I have no problem meeting the people from Moore Street any time. I have some interest in the O'Rahilly, who was a Ballylongford man. I have no problem meeting the group. Some work has been done on the preservation of Moore Street. If at all possible, whatever else needs to be done should be done. I will meet these people whenever Deputy Ó Snodaigh can arrange it.

Other issues must be considered, such as the memorabilia at Collins Barracks that concern 1916. These are not on display. Memorabilia, whether written records or physical objects, must be put on display. The issue of whether the Abbey Theatre should be in the GPO must be resolved. I hope to make an announcement in that regard shortly. We should maximise the opportunities presented by this major event in our history.