Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 189: To ask the Taoiseach his views on having an all-Ireland annual memorial day for the Irish famine victims. [3823/06]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The 150th Anniversary of the Great Famine was commemorated by the Government in 1995. I am satisfied that the famine is commemorated on an ongoing basis in many different ways, for example, in the Cobh Heritage Centre, in Rowan Gillespie's Famine Memorial at Custom House Quay and in many other localities.

In addition, in the context of State and official visits to countries with large Irish communities often as a result of emigration in the famine years, the opportunity is taken whenever possible to include an appropriate act of remembrance in the official programme.

I am of the view that there has been a significant and appropriate commemoration to date of the famine and its impact on Ireland and its people. I am satisfied that remembrance and commemoration of the famine will continue to occur on many appropriate occasions.