Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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21. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the commemoration of the First World War; her views on whether the occasion should be used to highlight the devastating effects of war; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31275/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The outbreak and escalation of World War I is being remembered with many activities, nationally, in Britain and further afield. The Government continues to be represented at war memorial ceremonies in Dublin, Belfast and other centres, marking the Battle of the Somme in July and the Armistice in November. The Government has also taken part in the annual commemorations on the Somme – participating at the international commemoration at Thiepval and the special commemorations of the 16^th(Ulster) Division at the Ulster Tower and the 10^th(Irish) Division at Guillemont. As the Deputy will be aware, annual commemorations of national losses in World War I are organised by embassies and communities in Ireland, notably Australia, New Zealand and Germany. Official representation was undertaken at the ANZAC commemoration on 25 April last in Dublin. Arrangements are also being made to mark the anniversary of the start of the war with a special service of prayer.

On 31 July, a memorial "Cross of Sacrifice" at Glasnevin Cemetery will be dedicated to the memory of all Irish soldiers lost in the war and particularly those laid to rest there. This cross will be a welcome addition to the comprehensive and inclusive representation of Irish history on the site and is being brought forward in a partnership between Glasnevin Trust and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The Deputy will no doubt be aware of the event jointly hosted by the National Library of Ireland and Trinity College, with substantial support from RTÉ, which was held on Saturday last. This was a well-attended event which allowed members of the public to relate stories of their families' connections with the Great War and to have their memorabilia catalogued and uploaded unto the digital Europeanalibrary.

Indeed, as my first official function as Minister with responsibility for commemorations, I attended the annual ceremony of remembrance and wreath-laying for the Irish dead of the First World War on 12 July last in the National War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge, Dublin. This year, of course, made particular reference to the outbreak of the Great War.

The National Museum of Ireland hosted a conference at Collins Barracks on 1 February last on ‘Remembering World War One in Europe, 1914-2014’, while the National Gallery of Ireland arranged an extensive programme of events commencing on 1 March with a Study Day on War Artists, followed on 2 March by a consideration of War Poetry and Images of the First World War.

I welcome also the contributions to the commemorative programme from colleges where conferences are being organised to present research and stimulate consideration of the centenary of the war. One such event was programme, prepared by the School of History at University College Cork earlier this year, addressed themes such as media, culture, religion, conscription, politics, society and legacy. The conference included a keynote address from British Minister Dr Andrew Murrison, MP, who referenced important issues of purpose, direction and tone in the official commemoration of the war. I was pleased to meet Minister Murrison at the Islandbridge ceremony last weekend.

As to the effects of war, certain of the events hosted by the cultural institutions already mentioned highlighted some of these effects. Clearly, while Ireland was at a distance from the immediate effects of major military confrontations, the brutal impact of casualties was experienced by many Irish families and this will continue to be recognised.