Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1359: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to make available to historians and to the public, records of the Military Pension Archive in the Department of Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29393/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1360: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to push forward with plans for a substantial commemoration in the lead-up to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29390/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1361: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to establish the General Post Office as a museum of celebration of Irish progress and achievement across a broad spectrum as a landmark 1916 centenary project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29391/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1362: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to advance the redevelopment of Glasnevin Cemetery as part of the preparations for the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29394/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1363: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to restore 16 Moore Street and establish therein an interpretative centre, linked to the refurbished General Post Office, to honour those who fought in the 1916 Rising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29395/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1364: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to ensure a prominent cultural component to the 1916 centenary commemoration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29396/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1365: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to provide a fund to which community groups can apply for support for the refurbishment of existing monuments commemorating events during the period 1913 to 1923; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29397/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1366: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to advance plans to commemorate the Irish soldiers who fell at the Somme in 1916; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29398/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1359 to 1366, inclusive, together.

The Centenary commemoration of the Easter Rising and the other events of the independence period, including the Great War and the Battle of the Somme, will be addressed through a comprehensive programme to be implemented across several years. I will be arranging for a meeting soon of the re-constituted Oireachtas All Party Consultation Group on these commemorative issues. With a view to a developing programme, I will inform the Group of progress on current projects and the consideration towards future plans. I expect that the framework for the commemorative programme will be launched sufficiently in advance of the Centenary anniversaries to ensure that commemorative initiatives by interested parties may be informed of opportunities for support or association with the national programme.

The Government have not yet received the report of the Office of Public Works on their preliminary consideration of the potential for development at the GPO complex in Dublin. This report will be completed in coming weeks. A phased multi-annual programme of works is underway at Glasnevin cemetery, scheduled for completion in 2016. The preparation of the personal files and records in the Military Archives for public access has started. A dedicated project team has been assigned to this work. The scoping exercise has been completed and a workplan developed.