Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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12. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a preliminary timetable of the planned commemorations for the 1916 Rising; if she will provide an update on the Moore Street interpretive centre and the proposed museum at the GPO; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31214/14]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The question is self-explanatory. Deputy McLellan referred earlier to similar matters. It would be useful to have a timetable for commemorations, not least for the 1916 Rising. The Minister referred to Moore Street. Perhaps she will also speak about the proposed museum at the GPO.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Development of an inclusive and detailed programme of events for the commemoration of the 1916 Rising is continuing and I hope to have a refined draft of that programme in the autumn. That draft will be subject to consultation with stakeholders before finalisation. As is the nature of these programmes, it may continue to evolve as we move towards 2016 and ideas crystallise and resources become available. Through consultation with the Oireachtas all-party working group on commemorations and the expert advisory group on commemorations, I will be seeking to prioritise ideas that are of educational and historical value and which provide a lasting legacy, appropriate in tone, balance and scale to the events being commemorated.

A number of flagship capital projects have been identified as priorities for completion by Easter 2016. These include the development of a suitable permanent facility for the military service pensions archive, the renovation of Kilmainham courthouse to enhance the visitor experience at Kilmainham Gaol, the development of a permanent exhibition space and interpretative centre at the GPO, the development of visitor facilities at Teach an Phiarsaigh, Ros Muc, as well as the renovation of Richmond barracks and the development of a tenement museum. These initiatives are moving apace.

With the national monument at Nos. 14-17 Moore Street, in July 2013 my predecessor made a determination under the National Monuments Acts on the consent application and related environmental impact statement submitted by the owners for their proposals for the national monument. I outlined this to Deputy McLellan earlier. The completed designs for the approved works have been submitted to my Department to verify they are in compliance with the decision made on the consent application in July 2013. In addition, NAMA has confirmed to my Department that it will make the necessary funding available for the works covered by the consent. This adds considerably to the prospects of a fitting tribute to the 1916 leaders being in place in Moore Street in time for the centenary of the 1916 Rising. Information on the developing commemorative programme will be available on my Department's commemorations website and individual announcements will issue for specific events.

The Deputy asked about the GPO and I had an opportunity through the commemorations committee to examine the proposals. It is a fine proposition and the Deputy will be very pleased when he sees what is planned for the GPO. I would be glad to hear Deputies' views on commemorative arrangements.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Would the Minister be prepared in the very near future to have an informal engagement with each of the spokespersons about the commemoration ceremonies? There has been much public interest in the suggestion that the British royal family may have particular involvement in the 1916 Rising commemoration. Does the Minister have views on that or does she envisage taking any particular initiative in that regard? The site at Moore Street has been alluded to and I accept the Minister's response that she is not directly responsible for anything outside the curtilage of the national monument. None the less, it is incumbent on whoever holds the ministerial office to engage with Dublin City Council and planners to ensure the rest of the site would be developed sensitively. There must be some kind of active engagement in that regard, as the issue cannot be left to NAMA, Chartered Land or Dublin City Council. We have seen lately how one cannot always be enthusiastic about the decisions of the planning department at Dublin City Council.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I would be happy to meet spokespersons to discuss the commemorations. I want to be as inclusive as possible and I welcome any suggestions. The Deputy asked about having different people visiting during the 2016 events. I am new in the job but it is important the commemorations be respectful, inclusive and sensitive. This is a major commemoration for the country because of its significance in our history. The tone must be respectful and appropriate. The Deputy asked about the houses at Moore Street and I have noted his comments for consideration.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Is it the Minister's view that the British royal family should be represented at the 1916 commemorations? Has the Government taken a view and will the Minister make a particular proposal to the Government in that regard?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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This is about building relationships. I am only in this job a couple of days so, as I said earlier, I will consult widely. We want to achieve the best commemoration possible and consult all stakeholders.