Written answers

Tuesday, 9 June 2015

Department of Defence

Commemorative Events

Photo of Terence FlanaganTerence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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130. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the role he expects the Defence Forces to play in the 1916 commemorations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21284/15]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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While responsibility for the Decade of Centenaries Programme rests with my colleague the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, both my Department and the Defence Forces will play a significant role in many of the events planned for 2016. There are two existing 1916 commemoration events which have significant Department of Defence and Defence Forces involvement annually. These are the 1916 Commemoration ceremonies that take place at the GPO every Easter Sunday and at Arbour Hill in early May each year.

Following the launch by the Taoiseach and Minister Humphreys of the programme of events for Easter 2016, my Department is engaged in ongoing discussions in relation to the involvement of the Defence Forces in the various events planned. It has already been decided that the Commemoration at the GPO on Easter Sunday 2016 will be followed by a parade that will include significant military input. There will also be military participation in wreath laying ceremonies at Kilmainham Gaol and at Glasnevin Cemetery on Easter Sunday.

In 2016, the Arbour Hill 1916 Commemoration will be held on Sunday 24 April, the centenary day of the 1916 Rising.  The Commemoration will take the form of Requiem Mass for all those who died in the 1916 Rising. It will be followed by a graveside ceremony, including inter-faith prayers, in the adjoining cemetery where 14 of the leaders of the Rising are buried.

A wide range of other State events are being organised to mark the centenary and many will involve participation by the Defence Forces.

Planning for these events has commenced and the first of these will take place this year on 1 August next when the centenary of the funeral of O'Donovan Rossa will be marked with a State ceremony at Glasnevin Cemetery.

In addition, the Defence Forces will play a part in a comprehensive programme of events relating to the National Flag, including flag raising ceremonies in Dublin and elsewhere. In this regard, it is planned that all primary schools in the State will be presented with a National Flag and a copy of the proclamation by a member of the Defence Forces.

I am satisfied that the Defence Forces will play a very central and important role in the Commemoration events that will take place over the coming 12 months.

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