Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to choose a permanent date for the commemoration of the Famine every year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3496/13]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that, as Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, I am responsible for ensuring on behalf of the Government that appropriate arrangements are in place to commemorate the Great Irish Famine.

Although the annual National Famine Commemoration ceremony retains a degree of continuity in its format, the date and artistic and cultural elements of the commemoration may change from year to year. It is not possible to fix the same date each year due to the particular circumstances that may arise around the arrangements for the commemoration in that year. However, in 2009, 2010 and 2012, the circumstances surrounding the commemorations facilitated the choice of the second Sunday in May.

The Deputy may be aware that the National Famine Commemoration Committee has agreed that this year's National Famine Commemoration will take place in Kilrush, County Clare. My Department is currently engaging with all of the relevant stakeholders and I can advise the Deputy that I expect to announce the date of this year's National Famine Commemoration very shortly.