Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 204: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has been in contact with the British authorities with a view to securing the return of any personal items, papers or other documentation belonging to those who were court-martialed by the British army following the 1916 Rising. [17259/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1As the Deputy will be aware, there has been a continuing dialogue over recent years both at Government and official level with the British authorities in relation to commemorative initiatives, especially in relation to the Centenary anniversaries that will soon arise.

Reflecting the increasing public interest in this period of Irish history, several suggestions have been made from diverse sources regarding the transfer or repatriation of artefacts and records pertaining to Ireland. I can assure the Deputy that the possibility for such initiatives is being explored.

The Deputy will appreciate that separate and specific consideration is required for each case that arises in this context. I would also emphasise that loans or transfers between national collection institutions are achieved largely through goodwill, reflecting the cordial professional and other relations between the parties. The official dialogue will continue to identify and catalogue the many items in British collections relating to Ireland with the hope that, over time, access can be obtained by interested persons.