Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will consider the possibility of engaging with the Northern Ireland Executive to discuss the possibility of the National Famine Commemoration being held on an all Ireland basis; if he will consider the holding of the national ceremony in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Executive in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54844/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The National Famine Commemoration Committee was first established in 2008 following a Government decision to commemorate the Great Irish Famine with an annual national famine memorial day. I would like to emphasise that the National Famine Commemoration is, and will remain, an inclusive event, which recognises the significant impact of the famine on all communities on the island of Ireland. Indeed, in the context of the Deputy's Question, respected historians have pointed to the significant impact of the famine on Ulster as a whole. The main objective of the National Famine Commemoration Committee is to ensure that all victims of the Great Irish Famine are remembered in a dignified manner and, as Chair of this Committee, I will seek to ensure that this work continues.

The National Famine Commemoration Committee has agreed that the annual national commemoration should revolve between the four provinces of Ireland. The Deputy may be aware that the 2011 National Famine Commemoration was held in Ulster, in Clones, County Monaghan, at which President McAleese led the official representation. Attendance at the National Famine Commemoration is wide-ranging and in this regard, members of the Legislative Assembly in Northern Ireland, as well as organisations and individuals both North and South of the border, were invited to attend. In the two weeks leading up to the national event, the local community devised a programme of events which took place across Monaghan and Fermanagh. In addition, schools, North and South, were invited to hold a minute's silence in honour of the victims of the famine.

Members of the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly were also invited to attend the 2012 National Famine Commemoration in Drogheda, County Louth and, indeed, the Deputy First Minister was among those who attended, together with a number of Northern Ireland Ministers. The 2015 National Famine Commemoration is due to take place in Ulster. I and the officials in my Department will be working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of the Taoiseach and all relevant stakeholders, North and South, to ensure that this event will be a fitting tribute to those who perished in Ulster during the Great Famine.