Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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17. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans which are being put in place to commemorate events leading up to the Rising of 1916; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31157/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Development of an inclusive and detailed programme of events for the commemoration of the 1916 Rising is continuing and I hope to have a refined draft of that programme in the autumn. That draft will be subject to consultation with stakeholders before finalisation. As is the nature of these programmes, it may continue to evolve as we move towards 2016, as ideas crystallise and resources become available. Through consultation with the Oireachtas All-party Working Group on Commemorations and the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations, I will be seeking to prioritise ideas that are of educational and historical value, that provide a lasting legacy and that are appropriate in tone, balance and scale to the events being commemorated.

In addition, a number of flagship capital projects have been identified as priorities for completion by Easter 2016. These include the development of a suitable permanent facility for the Military Service Pensions Archive, the renovation of Kilmainham Courthouse to enhance the visitor experience at Kilmainham Gaol, the development of a permanent exhibition space and interpretive centre at the GPO and the development of visitor facilities at Teach an Phiarsaigh, Ros Muc, as well as the renovation of Richmond Barracks and the development of a Tenement Museum. These initiatives are moving apace.

Information on the developing commemorative programme will be available on my Department's commemorations website at and individual announcements will issue for specific events. I would, of course, be glad to hear from Deputies with any views on commemorative arrangements.