Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Daly for raising this Commencement matter. I am taking this item on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, who unfortunately cannot attend the House.

On Easter Monday of this year, 28 March, a State ceremony took place in Ashbourne, County Meath, to remember Commandant Thomas Ashe and all of those who gave their lives arising from the events of the Battle of Ashbourne. This was one of a number of formal State ceremonial events to take place around the country this year to reflect the special significance of key regional locations in the events of the 1916 Rising and to honour and remember those who fought and those who died. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the assistance of Meath County Council and Fingal County Council in supporting this very special commemoration.

Some of the most significant Volunteer action outside of Dublin took place at Rathcross, Ashbourne, under the leadership of Thomas Ashe, Richard Mulcahy and Frank Lawless. Thirteen men in total lost their lives in Ashbourne on 28 April 1916. Commandant Thomas Ashe was tried by court martial and his death sentence was commuted to penal servitude for life. He died in September 1917.

This year, we have remembered and reflected upon the ultimate sacrifice made by Ashe and all those who gave their lives in order that Ireland’s dream of self-determination could become a reality. My Department is currently considering how the centenary of the death of Thomas Ashe should be appropriately marked and is being assisted by the guidance and advice of the expert advisory group on commemorations in these deliberations.

The 1916 centenary commemorations were inclusive, respectful and measured, and sought to strengthen peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland. The Ireland 2016 centenary programme met with widespread support across the political, academic and community sectors. It has engaged our communities at home and abroad in an unprecedented way and the benefits at community level and indeed nationally cannot be underestimated. The inclusive nature of the programme has enabled citizens to really examine our history and has encouraged them to consider the future of their communities. It gave people scope to think about the events of 1916 and its legacy in a way that is personal and meaningful to each individual. The Government will continue to mark significant events throughout the decade of centenaries and the State's commemorative programme will be based on the inclusive, open and consultative approach that has worked so well this year.

At all times, the Government has been supported in its plans by the guidance and advice of the expert advisory group on commemorations and the Oireachtas all-party consultation group on commemorations. The expert group is currently considering the issue of guidance around the approach to the second half of the decade of centenaries. The centenary of the death of Commandant Thomas Ashe will be marked on 25 September 2017. In addition, next year we will remember the battle of Messines and will commemorate the death of Francis Ledwidge in the third Battle of Ypres on 31 July.

In 2018, we will mark the end of the First World War and the general election of 1918 and then move on to commemorate the First Dáil in January 2019. Commemorating the period of the War of Independence and Civil War will present its own challenges. However, I strongly believe the same open and honest approach which we used for this year’s successful commemorations, which allowed all narratives to be heard, will ensure we will be able to reflect appropriately on the all of the major historical events as they unfolded.

In terms of funding for commemorations, the Department is currently considering the funding breakdown for commemorations in 2017 in the context of finalising the commemoration programme for next year.