Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to advance plans to commemorate the Irish soldiers who fell at the Somme in 1916. [20394/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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This is a matter for the Department of the Taoiseach. I understand, however that a special consideration of the Great War and particularly the Battle of the Somme will be included in the planning of an appropriate and comprehensive Centenary commemorations programme. Continuing official support has been committed for an annual commemoration organised by the Royal British Legion to take place each July in the War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge, Dublin (an OPW property). This co-operation involves Government Departments, the Office of Public Works and the Defence Forces. Further commemorations of Irishmen who fell in the Great War take place on the battlefield sites from time to time and annually at Messines in Belgium.