Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress reported regarding the projects relating to the 2016 commemoration of the 1916 rising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15618/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The All Party Oireachtas Consultation Group on the Centenary of the 1916 Rising met on Wednesday, 2 December, 2009 for discussions and site visits to Glasnevin Cemetery and the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks to view projects relating to the 2016 commemoration of the 1916 Rising. In the discussion, the Group were informed of recent developments and events including:- Arbour Hill renewal works including restoration and extension of the existing church car park, repair and restoration of all existing cemetery graves, repair of cemetery pathways and the planting of new trees. The future location of the Abbey Theatre and possible redevelopment at the GPO with reference also to the protection of 16 Moore Street. Recent acquisition for the national collections of items of interest relating to the independence period, amongst which were the 964 items of the Stanley Collection at a cost of €3.5 million. Other items purchased/donated include a letter from P.H. Pearse to General Maxwell and General Maxwell's brief reply and a copy of the Proclamation. Assistance towards themed publication i.e. the Royal Irish Academy's recent publication on Seán Lemass, and the SIPTU sponsored publication on James Connolly. The Military Archives Project which envisages that files, being the service records of personnel involved in the struggle for independence, would be released into the public domain on a phased basis in the years leading to the Centenary of the Rising.

The Group were informed that an Advisory Board of historians had accepted invitations to assist with this project. At Glasnevin Cemetery, the Group inspected progress on the significant programme of ongoing restoration works underway for which €6.4m of NDP funding has been provided to date. I am pleased to report that the new Glasnevin museum was officially opened by an Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D., on 8 April, this year. The Group also visited the ongoing restoration work being conducted on Erskine Childers' yacht Asgard. This project is scheduled to be compiled by the end of June 2010.

The suggested relocation to the GPO complex of the Abbey Theatre is currently being examined by the Office of Public Works. The decision on future use will have regard to all advice and suggestions received. This year's commemorative event to mark the Easter Rising of 1916 was held at the GPO, Dublin on Sunday 4 April 2010. The ceremony included prayers of remembrance, a reading of the Proclamation and the laying of a wreath by the President. Preparations are ongoing for the National Day of Commemoration to be held in Kilmainham in July.

A programme of events is being compiled to commemorate a whole series of centenaries across this island in the next 10 to 12 years, as we recall the key events in our history. I am confident that all significant anniversaries occurring within the period of the multi-annual programme now being prepared will be commemorated. The details of the commemorative programme will be discussed with Group members in due course. I am currently engaged in the preparation for a meeting of the All Party Oireachtas Consultation Group, which I hope to convene in the coming weeks.