Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4197/07]

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the latest plans by his Department to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3938/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 116 together.

The 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome on 25 March, 1957 is a milestone in the history of the Union. As I indicated in the House at the end of last year, it is entirely appropriate that citizens throughout the Union should have the opportunity of commemorating the peace and prosperity achieved by Europe over the past half century.

The German Presidency is preparing a declaration on the occasion of the anniversary for adoption by EU Heads of State and Government during their meeting in Berlin in March. We fully support the Presidency in their intention to produce a text in straightforward terms that will recall the immense achievements of the Union, the distance we have travelled since the adoption of the Treaty, and our shared determination to meet the challenges of the future in the interests of our citizens.

In Ireland also it is appropriate that we should mark this important anniversary and we are planning a number of events during the year. My Department is coordinating its efforts with, among others, the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Education and Science, the European Movement, the National Forum on Europe, the Central Bank, An Post, the Institute of Public Administration, the Institute of European Affairs, the European Commission, and the European Parliament.

Planning thus far includes a commemorative coin and stamp; a series of schools' competitions; a DVD for distribution to schools; and a programme of lectures at various third level institutions throughout the country. As regards my own Department, we intend to fund a special commemorative newspaper supplement on the European Union and Ireland; a book of essays on the EU; and a public event, possibly at Farmleigh in the summer. I believe that it is especially important for our young people, who have not had direct experience of the transformation of Ireland since we joined the European Communities, to be made aware of Europe's remarkable progress over the past fifty years.

In addition to events at home, there is an expectation that Ireland will participate in a number of events abroad. A Jack B Yeats painting, The Singing Horseman, from the National Gallery has already been loaned to the Italian authorities for an exhibition they are mounting in Rome in connection with the anniversary. In Brussels, also, we intend to participate in Europalia, a major cultural event in which all Member States are likely to take part.