Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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19. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which her Department continues to prepare for the 1916 centenary; the degree to which various historical landmarks have been identified for preservation-restoration; the degree to which particular events have been identified and are likely to be co-ordinated in a way befitting the occasion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40093/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Question 6 today. I am committed with my Government colleagues to ensuring that the commemorations to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful.

As I have previously outlined to the House, the commemorations to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising will be a major event in a programme that has been developing since 2012 to commemorate the key events leading to the proclamation of the Irish Republic. These have included:

- the introduction and progress of the third Home Rule Bill in the Westminster Parliament;

- the formation of Volunteer movements;

- the 1913 Lockout and the role of suffragettes; and

- the outbreak of World War I.

In the coming year, alongside the continuing experience of World War I, the programme will address the Cultural Revival in Ireland, which reflected the strengthening sense of national identity and determination to achieve autonomous government.

As part of the 2016 commemorations, arrangements have been made for a number of flagship capital projects for which funding of €22 million is being provided in 2015. These projects include the new GPO visitor facility, the restoration of Kilmainham Courthouse, a dedicated facility for the Military Pensions Archive at Cathal Brugha Barracks, the provision of visitor facilities at Pearse's Cottage in Ros Muc, refurbishment works at Richmond Barracks and the development of a Tenement Museum in Dublin - as well as the commencement of refurbishment and development works at the National Archives and the National Concert Hall's Kevin Barry Rooms.

This capital programme will be complemented by an integrated national plan focused on the 2016 Commemorations, for which an allocation of €4 million is being provided to my Department in 2015. This allocation will help support a wide range of activities and events by interested groups, including local community groups and the arts. There will also be a special emphasis on education projects, as recommended by the Expert Advisory Group. There will also, of course, be an appropriately solemn component to the commemoration.

My Department has been working to finalise the draft programme for 2016, which it is intended to publish in the coming weeks to allow for widespread public consultation. The overall programme will be brought forward in partnership with government departments, State agencies, local authorities and other key players, including 1916 Relatives' Groups.

I will be keen to encourage and facilitate the involvement of ‘ground-up’ initiatives to ensure local communities can put their own shape on the commemorations as we move towards 2016. This process will build on the contacts that have been made, as part of the ongoing commemorative programme since 2012, with a wide range of bodies and community groups throughout the country, who are already engaged in preparing their own projects and contributions to the 2016 commemorations. I anticipate that the identification of historical landmarks and specific events throughout the country may be expected to arise in that context.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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20. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the 1916 commemoration to be announced; the amount of funding that will be allocated to it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40138/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Question 6 today. I am committed with my Government colleagues to ensuring that the commemorations to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful.

As I have previously outlined to the House, the commemorations to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising will be a major event in a programme that has been developing since 2012 to commemorate the key events leading to the proclamation of the Irish Republic. These have included:

- the introduction and progress of the third Home Rule Bill in the Westminster Parliament;

- the formation of Volunteer movements;

- the 1913 Lockout and the role of suffragettes; and

- the outbreak of World War I.

In the coming year, alongside the continuing experience of World War I, the programme will address the Cultural Revival in Ireland, which reflected the strengthening sense of national identity and determination to achieve autonomous government.

As part of the 2016 commemorations, arrangements have been made for a number of flagship capital projects for which funding of €22 million is being provided in 2015. These projects include the new GPO visitor facility, the restoration of Kilmainham Courthouse, a dedicated facility for the Military Pensions Archive at Cathal Brugha Barracks, the provision of visitor facilities at Pearse's Cottage in Ros Muc, refurbishment works at Richmond Barracks and the development of a Tenement Museum in Dublin - as well as the commencement of refurbishment and development works at the National Archives and the National Concert Hall's Kevin Barry Rooms.

This capital programme will be complemented by an integrated national plan focused on the 2016 Commemorations, for which an allocation of €4 million is being provided to my Department in 2015. This allocation will help support a wide range of activities and events by interested groups, including local community groups and the arts. There will also be a special emphasis on education projects, as recommended by the Expert Advisory Group. There will also, of course, be an appropriately solemn component to the commemoration.

My Department has been working to finalise the draft programme for 2016, which it is intended to publish in the coming weeks to allow for widespread public consultation. The overall programme will be brought forward in partnership with government departments, State agencies, local authorities and other key players, including 1916 Relatives' Groups.

I will be keen to encourage and facilitate the involvement of ‘ground-up’ initiatives to ensure local communities can put their own shape on the commemorations as we move towards 2016. This process will build on the contacts that have been made, as part of the ongoing commemorative programme since 2012, with a wide range of bodies and community groups throughout the country, who are already engaged in preparing their own projects and contributions to the 2016 commemorations.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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21. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the Government commemorating Mr. John Redmond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36511/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I believe it is right that we acknowledge the work of Irish parliamentarians in keeping the cause of self-determination alive and sustaining hope through some of the bleaker periods of our history. It is appropriate, therefore, that John Redmond's leadership has been, and is being, remembered with events, exhibitions and lectures in Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford, Dublin and London. In particular, the restoration of John Redmond's vault in Wexford is being addressed as part of the centenary commemorative programme. Recognition of the place of John Redmond and the Irish Parliamentary Party was marked with a debate to mark the centenary of the Home Rule Act, hosted in the Irish Embassy in London, on 1 July last. The panel of guest speakers comprised former Taoiseach John Bruton, Lord Paul Bew, Professor Michael Laffan and Professor Richard Toye, and the debate was moderated by broadcaster Fergal Keane. The audience included a range of Westminster parliamentarians, academics, community, business and cultural representatives, officials, advisers and media. BBC Parliament filmed the debate, which was broadcast on 5 July and on additional dates later.

On 18 September last, the Wicklow War Memorial Committee hosted a commemorative event in Woodenbridge, County Wicklow, a location long associated with John Redmond due to his historic speech of 18 September 1914. My colleague, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Charlie Flanagan, unveiled a memorial to honour the dead of World War One from Co Wicklow.

In our centenary commemorative programme this year, we reach the passing of legislation for Irish Home Rule. Building on the work of Charles Stewart Parnell and the Land League, John Redmond and his party ultimately delivered the Home Rule Act, which was finally passed on the eve of the Great War.