Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

It is coming. With the passing of a century, perhaps we are at a sufficient remove to survey our history with a detached objectivity that could not have been expected of earlier generations. Nonetheless, we are still close enough to that period to identify directly with the personal experiences of those involved. Some of us might have family histories that link us to the historic events we are set to commemorate. The decade of centenary anniversaries will give us some valuable opportunities. In the first instance, we will have an opportunity to dedicate ourselves towards an enhanced understanding of modern history. There is no doubt that the headlines of a century ago have resonated across the generations. The names of the key figures of this era are familiar to everyone, but how much is really known about them? I am delighted to see young people in the Gallery for this morning's debate. It is important that the history of this period is transmitted to them in a factual and accurate way. The education system will have a key role to play in the decade of commemorations.

Many of those who played a role in the events of 100 years ago have never been adequately acknowledged. I hope we will take the opportunity to address this over the next few years. While the Easter Rising and the Proclamation of the Irish Republic will be at the centre of our programme, any presentation of our history would be incomplete without many other stories, including those of the workers of the 1913 Lockout, the members of the Suffragette movement and the Irish who fought in World War One. I am working with an expert advisory group of historians, chaired by Dr. Maurice Manning, who will provide guidance to ensure the authenticity and balance of our commemorative programme. I am grateful for the support of the members of this group. I will rely greatly on their academic integrity and advice as I develop the commemorative programme. I have been invited to attend the next meeting of the group, which will take place on 12 June next. The group will consult widely, within the academic community and beyond, to this end. In particular, I hope it will guide us as we try to ensure our commemorations are meaningful and of enduring benefit to our understanding of the period. The programme of centenary commemorations should stimulate higher-level research and promote discussion that will further illuminate our history.

Our programme of commemorations began with the centenary of the introduction of the third Home Rule Bill to the Westminster Parliament on 11 April 1912. This anniversary was marked by memorial lectures on John Redmond and the Irish Parliamentary Party, which were organised in association with Waterford City Council. It is intended that the excellent lectures that were given on that occasion by Dermot Meleady and Frank Callanan will be available to the public on the commemorations website that is under development in the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The introduction of the third Home Rule Bill was a vindication of long years of parliamentary campaigning for national autonomy and a tremendous personal achievement for John Redmond. It can now be seen as a pivotal moment in our history, bringing the polarisation of traditions and the resort to arms in resistance.

I was pleased to mark this early moment of the revolutionary period by attending the Dublin City Gallery - the Hugh Lane - on 24 May last to open its excellent exhibition of portraits, Revolutionary States: Home Rule and Modern Ireland. As I considered the portraits of Redmond, Carson and others that hang side by side in the gallery, I was struck by the manner in which the sourcing of the exhibits reflects the shared history of the galleries of Britain and Ireland, each contributing to the total. In addition to the exhibition in the Hugh Lane, I have already been a part of many other significant centenary commemoration events. The Northern Ireland First Minister, Peter Robinson, visited the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at Iveagh House in Dublin in March to offer his reflections on Carson's influence on Irish unionism. The First Minister's address followed historical presentations by Professor Paul Bew and Professor Michael Laffan. In mid-April, I was privileged to address a conference of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland at Belfast City Hall about the Ulster Covenant, the centenary of which will be marked later this year. At the end of May, Glasnevin Trust marked the centenary of the founding of the Labour Party with a special presentation by Dick Spring, whom I was delighted to introduce.

All of our cultural institutions and local authorities are playing a part in the decade of commemorations. Later this year, the county libraries of counties Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan will host exhibitions on the Ulster Covenant. Other events that are planned include a conference at the National Library of Ireland this weekend offering centenary perspectives on the third Home Rule crisis, the completion of the restoration of Erskine Childers's yacht, Asgard, and the continuation of the National Library of Ireland's "Europeana" World War One collection roadshow, which has been very successful.

At these roadshow events, families will be afforded the opportunity to contribute personal artefacts and stories relating to the First World War to a pan-European exhibition. This will help to build a contemporary narrative on a historical event that reshaped Europe. I attended a Council of Ministers cultural meeting in Brussels recently which was very impressed by the memorabilia that was presented through the National Library, which I would like to acknowledge.

The commemorative programme for the decade of centenaries will run from 2012 to 2022. To facilitate preparation of the programme, the organisational effort will be addressed in the first instance in the programme up to 2016. With a view to building an affinity with the history of the period, the programme will seek to follow the historic sequence of events and reflect the background influences in each year. The programme for 2013 will examine the Dublin Lockout and the struggles of working men and women for improved living and social conditions. It will also follow the continuing story of the Home Rule campaign, with the centenaries of the formation of the Ulster Volunteer Force and, of course, the Irish Volunteers. These special anniversary commemorative initiatives will complement the standing arrangements for annual commemorations which include the national day of commemorations, the Easter Rising commemoration at the GPO and the commemoration at Arbour Hill.

My discussions with interested parties have left me in no doubt that the official commemorative programme will grow and be complemented by the initiatives of cultural institutions, local authorities, national associations and community groups. Indeed, I would hope to leave the House today with some new ideas as to how we can commemorate this very important decade and I look forward to the contributions of Senators. I am certain that the commemorative programme will also have a special broad appeal to the Irish diaspora and to the many friends of Ireland abroad. It will also present an opportunity for the new Irish to explore the heritage of their new identity. A particular consideration is required to ensure that the programme engages the interest of young people. I hope to see a programme develop that will stimulate wide public participation not just in the official State-led commemorative events, but on a continuing basis at community level, based on initiatives brought forward by councils, schools, clubs and societies.

I recently turned the sod on the Thomas MacDonagh centre in Cloughjordan, which involved a huge number of local people and was a very impressive event. I appeal to any Senators who have connections with the leaders or main players in 1916 to encourage similar initiatives in their own communities.

I stress to Members that preparation of the commemorative programme is still at an early stage. I am often asked about the commemorative arrangements for the Rising in 2016 but, at this point, what I am most interested in is discussion and input into those plans. I can assure the House that I am open to constructive engagement. I would welcome the support of members in developing a national discussion on the shape of commemorations to come.

I will attempt to pre-empt some questions by clarifying that the commemorative initiatives to date have been managed within the existing resources of Departments and State services. While I am aware of the precedents in regard to the commemoration of the United Irishmen, the Great Famine and other events, there is not yet a dedicated allocation from which support can be provided to applicants for commemorative initiatives. Despite the special consideration on the appropriate marking of an important centenary anniversary, the commemorative programme cannot be insulated from the necessary constraints on all public expenditure. Nonetheless, I feel an impressive start has been made this year to the commemorative programme.

Our exploration of the historic decade of a century ago commenced with a number of diverse events including lectures, exhibitions and commemoration ceremonies. I have been greatly encouraged by the enthusiastic interest evident throughout Ireland and by the very positive response and association of the British Government and the Executive in Northern Ireland. I am very heartened by the involvement of the Unionist community, especially in Northern Ireland. They have attended our committee on commemorations and they have been very positive about their willingness to be involved in our commemorations on this island, North and South. The great example was the commemoration at Balmoral, which passed off peacefully and which was a great celebration in Northern Ireland. What has happened to date has been very positive and I am very heartened by it. There has been great buy-in by all parties in the House and by all parties on this island. If this trend continues, I can see that the decade of commemorations will play a major role in bringing all on this island closer together. The important thing is that we are doing it in a spirit of tolerance, respect and inclusiveness. This is happening and it is having an impact.

I look forward to a constructive debate in the House today. I hope Members will come up with some good ideas which we can add to the programme. I thank Members for their attention. It is my second time in the House as I was here last year to discuss the arts, on which we had a very constructive exchange. I am delighted to be here to discuss this very important commemoration of a decade that was really responsible for us being here today in this Seanad. We should remember that.