Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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3. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent of consultation made in relation to the celebration and commemoration of the historical events of 1912-1922; the remit of the Decades Committee in the Dáil; the extent of its work to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24540/14]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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My question relates to the extent of public consultation on the celebration of the historical events of the period from 1912 to 1922 and the remit of the all-party working group or decades committee.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the programme of centenary commemorations has been developing continuously in recent years and the volume and significance of events being commemorated will continue to increase as we look towards 2016 and the centenary of the Easter Rising. The all-party consultation group on commemorations, which I chair, has been briefed by a large number of commemorations stakeholders and continues to engage with as many interested parties as possible. These parties have included the Women's History Association Ireland, the national cultural institutions and a range of local and community groups.

The all-party consultation group also maintains ongoing relationships with key partners, including the Department of Defence, An Post and academic partners. The group is periodically briefed by State agencies and relevant Departments on the status of capital projects being undertaken for completion by 1916, including the GPO project, and developments under the auspices of the Office of Public Works. It also receives media briefings.

On a partnership and collaborative basis, my Department has forged strong contacts with a range of partners, including the trade union movement, for example, in connection with the centenary of the Dublin Lock-out of 1913. The Glasnevin Trust has also been a key partner in a series of commemorative events at Glasnevin Cemetery. The successful implementation of a programme of events marking the centenary of the founding of Cumann na mBan is only the most recent example of such a collaborative approach with the Women's History Association of Ireland. The participation of the President at a formal commemoration in Glasnevin Cemetery was supplemented by events at Wynn's Hotel and a special conference at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks.

I have been greatly assisted in the task of consultation through the work of the expert advisory group of distinguished historians, chaired by Dr. Maurice Manning. The group plans to continue its programme of public consultation around the country in the run-up to 2016. Its local meetings have been well attended by members of local history societies and community groups and members of the general public.

My Department has also sought to engage public interest, including through its support for the RTE-Boston College Century Irelanddigital newspaper and a series of supplements published by The Irish Timesat appropriate dates around key centenaries. The most recent of these, entitled Countdown to War, was published on 14 May last and I have arranged for it to be distributed to every school and made available online. I am keen to continue to build a programme of events with the broadest possible base of support and I welcome the views of Members on how particular events can be commemorated.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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As a member of the decades committee, I am aware of the extent of input into the committee. I note that the mission statement of the advisory group refers to ensuring "that significant events are commemorated accurately, proportionately and appropriately in tone". I acknowledge that many of the commemorations thus far have been extremely well-organised, dignified and fitting, although questions have arisen regarding the way in which some of the events have been advertised to the public. Members of the public must be afforded a space in which to give their views on how to commemorate the momentous events of the period from 1912 to 1922, notably the Easter Rising, which is central to the decade of commemorations. Ordinary people and families must be given a space to give their views.

When Irish Aid undertook its review of Irish aid, it held a series of public consultations and meetings nationwide, which were well attended and at which people engaged. Ordinary communities are involved in the decade of commemorations. For example, a drama group in East Wall in my constituency was heavily involved in the commemoration of the 1913 Lock-out and the Howth community is involved in the commemoration of the Howth gun-running. We must embrace members of the public by giving them an opportunity to engage.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The principal focus is on those who participated in the events in question. Last November, for example, we held a very dignified ceremony to mark the establishment of the Volunteers. As has been acknowledged, we also had a very dignified ceremony in Glasnevin Cemetery to mark the establishment of Cumann na mBan, followed by a seminar in Wynn's Hotel to mark the occasion. The focus was on the individuals who were involved at the time and their families.

That is how I want to keep it, ensuring the focus is on those who participated and their families. That will be the focus of the 1916 commemorations. I want all those who were in any way associated with it to be involved.

There was major community involvement in the 1913 Lock-out commemoration. Anyone who was on O'Connell Street that day saw that there was a major local input, as there will be in the commemoration of the Howth gun running. Wherever appropriate, there will be local involvement, as has manifested to date. The commemorations section in my Department is working very closely with all community groups, where appropriate.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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I was getting at the idea of having a space for ordinary citizens to give their views on how these events should be commemorated to ensure their voices are also listened to. The suggestion that there be a royal presence at the 1916 commemorations is controversial and it would be good to get the views of ordinary citizens on it. Will the decade of commemorations be extended to include the Civil War? That will be a very difficult event to commemorate. Again, it is very important that we provide a space for ordinary people to express their views on how it should be commemorated, remembered or addressed.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The focus this year is very much on the outbreak of the First World War which must be commemorated properly because 49,000 Irish men and women died during it. There will then be a major focus on the 1916 Rising and, as I have repeated many times, the participants will be the families of those who were affected in any way by it. Almost 2,000 people were involved in 1916, including 200 members of Cumann na mBan and the Irish Citizen Army, who must be acknowledged. Regarding invited guests, there will be plenty of opportunities for people to share common platforms, while retaining the focus on those who were affected or participated. My Department's website offers people an opportunity to contribute. Century Ireland, an online historical newspaper published fortnightly, is attracting much attention. Last year I held a special seminar for local authorities to emphasise how they could be involved and embrace the commemorations. If the Deputy has other ideas, will she, please, pass them on? I have listened to her in the past and will do so in the future. The next significant event to commemorate will be the Howth gun running, in which there will be major community involvement.