Written answers

Thursday, 6 November 2014

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Commemorative Events

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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268. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will support a matter (details supplied) regarding relatives of those who took part in the 1916 Rising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42580/14]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been working to finalise the draft programme for 2016, which it is intended to publish shortly to allow for widespread public consultation. An announcement relating to this aspect will be made in the coming days, which will be of relevance to the relatives' groups. The overall programme is being brought forward in partnership with government departments, State agencies, local authorities and other key players.

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.

These commemorations will acknowledge the service and achievements of the personnel involved with a special consideration to include their descendants and relatives. My Department is anxious to include all interested parties in this consultation around the draft programme for the commemoration of the 1916 Rising and the associated events, including 1916 Relatives' Groups.

Separately, in relation to requests to attend at Centenary commemorations, the Department of Defence has responsibility for the care and management of the service records and archives relating to the personnel of the Easter Rising. For many years, that Department has maintained a register in relation to invitations to commemorative events. Contact with the Department of Defence may be sent directly to it at the address below.

Executive Branch.

Department of Defence,

Station Road,

Newbridge,

Co. Kildare



Relatives of those involved in that period may forward such requests to my own Department at the address below, which will be forwarded to the Department of Defence.

Commemorations Unit

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Kildare Street Dublin 2

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