Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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540. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of occasions that Oglaigh na hÉireann took part in commemoration ceremonies and other ceremonial events with other armies in the last year; the occasions and armies involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34504/14]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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541. To ask the Minister for Defence the criteria used for the participation of Oglaigh na hÉireann in commemoration ceremonies here and abroad; the details of the decision making process in relation to these matters; if he was consulted on such participation; the occasions that Oglaigh na hÉireann participated in such ceremonies in the last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34505/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 540 and 541 together.

The Defence Forces participated in a number of commemorative ceremonies both here and abroad in the last year. The level of participation is determined by my Department in consultation with the Military authorities and is dependent on the scale of the event in question and the availability of Military resources.The following are State commemorations where the Defence Forces provide significant ceremonial support annually.

The Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising,

The 1916 Commemoration Ceremony, Arbour Hill,

The National Famine Memorial Day Commemoration,

The National Day of Commemoration.

Furthermore, in November, 2013, the Department and the Defence Forces organised a special commemoration to mark the Centenary of the Foundation of the Irish Volunteers.

In addition to these ceremonies, the Defence Forces also participated, as outlined below, in a number of centenary events as organised by, or co-ordinated through, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht as part of the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2022.

The Centenary of the Foundation of Cumann na mBan,

The Kilcoole Gunrunning commemorative event,

The Asgard (Howth) Gunrunning commemorative event,

Commemorations to mark the outbreak of World War I (both at home and abroad).

In relation to the latter, a ceremony to mark the laying of the foundation stone for the Cross of Sacrifice was held in Glasnevin Cemetery in March, 2014 and this was followed by a State ceremony to mark the unveiling of the Cross on the 31^stJuly, 2014.

One of the key events abroad where the Defence Forces participated was in Messines last December when the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister laid wreaths in remembrance of the Irish who lost their lives in World War I.

Other World War I commemorative events were held in France, Scotland, and Northern Ireland during the months of July and August, at which the Defence Forces were represented. The Defence Forces also participated in a number of local events held to mark the outbreak of World War I.

In 2013, as part of the Defence Forces contribution to “The Gathering Ireland 2013” initiative, a Military Guard Ceremony, was held at the site of the National Memorial to members of the Defence Forces who died in service of the State at Archbishop Ryan Park, Merrion Square, Dublin on Saturdays during the months of July and August. Units from the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service participated in the Military Guard Ceremony in solemn remembrance of their fallen comrades. Given the interest that these ceremonies attracted from members of the public, tourists and retired Defence Forces personnel, they were held again this summer.

The table below details the occasions that the Defence Forces participated in commemorative and other ceremonial events with other armies from the 31^stAugust, 2013 to-date: