Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The centenary of the outbreak of the First World War will be marked by events across Europe in August this year. At national level, events to mark the outbreak of the First World War will take place over several days. While detailed arrangements still to be settled, a Cross of Sacrifice monument at Glasnevin cemetery will be dedicated to the memory of the soldiers who died in the War. Services of prayer and remembrance ceremonies will take place at national and community level. Special presentations and exhibitions are being organised by the national cultural institutions. Commemorative initiatives are also being prepared by local authorities, colleges and schools, heritage and community groups and media organisations. The arrangements in Ireland will complement the commemorations taking place in Europe and the wider international community to mark this important centenary.

The Government's approach to the Decade of Commemorations is guided by several principles: full acknowledgement of the totality of the island's history; the legitimacy of all traditions; the totality of the diverse history of the period; mutual respect; and historical accuracy. These principles inform all activities undertaken in the commemoration of the First World War.

My Department's commemorative policy is delivered by working in partnership across Government, and in conjunction with our partners in Northern Ireland and overseas. Certain historical events call for joint British-Irish cooperation and attendance, in particular regarding the commemoration of the First World War. The partnership allows for the further strengthening of the British-Irish relationship, grounded in a respect for the past and reconciliation. Equally, commemorative events are an opportunity to strengthen and deepen North-South links.

In November 2012, I attended the Remembrance Day commemorative services in Belfast, at the invitation of Belfast City Council. At this ceremony, I laid a wreath at Belfast City Hall to remember those who died during the First World War. On the same date, the Taoiseach attended Remembrance Day events in Enniskillen. These two events marked the first occasion on which members of the Government participated in Remembrance Day ceremonies in Northern Ireland. It served as a sign of a deeply embedded reconciliation process that is ongoing. In 2013, I again attended the commemorative services in Belfast and the Taoiseach attended the remembrance service in Enniskillen.

On 10 January 2014, at Google's European Headquarters in Dublin, I launched an online archive of Ireland’s First World War records together with Northern Ireland's First Minister, Peter Robinson, MLA, and deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, MLA. The new archive,'Ireland’s Memorial Records ', lists soldiers from the island of Ireland who died during the First World War or as a result of wounds sustained during battle. The archive and launch event reflect the reconciliatory and historical value of an all-island approach to commemorating the First World War.

My Department's Reconciliation and Anti-Sectarianism Funds are providing support for a number of projects commemorating significant centenaries, including the First World War, as part of its regular funding of community and voluntary groups. Several community and youth projects supported by the Funds have commemorations-related elements to their projects, exploring issues around identity and understanding of other traditions. A number of these projects challenge the notion of separate histories and explore the ways in which drawing upon shared experiences can impact on contemporary societal relationships. Commemorations have the potential to foster reconciliation and deepen understanding on a cross-community and cross-border basis between all traditions on the island of Ireland. For this reason, the support provided by the Funds to the community sector is significant. Several academic projects are also being funded through the Funds, facilitating research and public discourse on the First World War.

Our network of Embassies will also participate as appropriate in commemorative events relating to the First World War in their host countries.