Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 572: To ask the Minister for Defence the groups or persons who have been invited to join the parade down O'Connell Street for the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Rising; and the measures which have been taken to ensure that the parade is inclusive. [12849-06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Easter Rising of 1916 will be commemorated by a military parade in Dublin on Sunday, 16 April. Preparations for the parade, as announced by the Taoiseach last October, are being made by the Defence Forces. Approximately 2,500 personnel representing all branches of the forces, together with representatives of ex-service personnel and veterans of UN service, will be included. The parade will also include members of the Garda Síochána, representing their service abroad with the United Nations. A fly-past by the Air Corps is also envisaged.

A total of 60 military vehicles are scheduled to participate in the parade. The vehicles selected are drawn from all corps and formations and are representative of the equipment in use in the Defence Forces.

The Defence Forces' record of service with the United Nations will be marked by the carrying of flags of all nations in which Defence Force Personnel have served on UN duty. The unit colours of all military units of the Defence Forces that were deployed overseas will also be carried. A representative group of approximately 150 personnel from the Irish United Nations Veterans Association will march in the parade.

The parade will depart from Dublin Castle, passing through Dame Street, College Green and O'Connell Street. There will be a reading of the proclamation outside the GPO, and appropriate military honours will be rendered. The event will be televised live, and it will be possible to view the parade along the route from Dublin Castle to O'Connell Street.

This 90th anniversary of the rising will also be marked by a wreath-laying ceremony in Kilmainham Gaol earlier that morning and by a Government reception at Dublin Castle that evening.

Officials of my Department and officers of the Defence Forces are represented on an interdepartmental working group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, which is overseeing all the logistical arrangements for the parade and associated events. That group meets regularly and includes, inter alia, representatives from the Garda Síochána, Dublin City Council, the fire services and the Office of Public Works. As the Deputy will appreciate, many logistical issues such as the parade route, road closures, health and safety regulations, publicity, etc., have to be addressed, as well as the security arrangements for the event, and the group is dealing with them.