Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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175. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she, through her office, will promote and encourage traditional and folk music in the context of 1916; if local and national radio and television will be included in such promotion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10726/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The objective of the Ireland 2016initiative, which I am leading and which was formally launched on 12November 2014, is to develop, coordinate and deliver a programme to honour and remember those who fought or died in the Rising. It will also reflect on the legacy of that period and look towards our future, based around the themes set out in the Government's framework plan: I am committed, together with my Government colleagues, to ensuring that the commemorations to mark the centenary in 2016 will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful.

A 2016 Project Office in my Department is currently engaged in an extensive consultation process across the Government, State agency and community sectors to progress the development of detailed plans for 2016. This includes engagement with the National Cultural Institutions, the Arts Council, Culture Ireland and the Heritage Council to ensure that a comprehensive and diverse cultural programme is developed. Groups and individuals are also being encouraged to work within existing local authority structures to develop local events and initiatives for commemorating 1916 and the 2016 Project Team is working closely with these structures to facilitate this engagement. Members of the team also recently met with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, which has committed to supporting the Ireland 2016project at various levels throughout the organisation, both at home and abroad. I am advised that a comprehensive and wide-ranging programme of commemorative activities is being developed, including the commissioning of a commemorative suite of music, the inclusion of 1916 commemorative aspects in Fleadhanna Ceoil in 2016, as well as in the Comhaltas Concert Tour and the Scoil Éigse 2016. My Department's 2016 Project Team will be working with Comhaltas to support these initiatives.

A communications strategy is currently being developed by my Department in order to promote and encourage the roll-out of the Ireland 2016programme. A communications manager has been appointed on fixed-term contract to lead and drive the strategy. These efforts will include proactive engagement with all media forms, including local and national radio, television and social media.