Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

658. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a designated Famine commemoration day is merited given the scale of the tragedy itself and its effect on Ireland and the world, if and when she will make a definite decision on this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43788/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, I am responsible for ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place to commemorate the Great Irish Famine. In carrying out these functions, my main focus is to ensure that the victims of the Irish Famine are respectfully and appropriately remembered. In that context, I also seek to raise awareness of current food security issues worldwide. While the Commemoration ceremony retains a degree of continuity in its format, the date and the cultural elements of the commemoration may change from year to year. In some previous years it has proved possible to hold the annual commemoration ceremony on the second Sunday in May and I am aware that some people are of the view that the annual National Famine Commemoration should be held on the same designated day each year.

However, I do not consider it desirable to fix the same date each year, given the factors that may need to be considered, such as the site selection process, the availability of the lead person to officiate at the ceremony and the general arrangements at community level.

For example in 2015, due to organisational imperatives arising as a result of the staging of the event for the first time in Northern Ireland, the commemoration ceremony was held in Newry in September and proved to be a great success with significant cross-community representation. Similarly in 2016, due to the number of events relating to the centenary of the Easter Rising scheduled to take place in March, April and May of next year, it is likely that the famine commemoration ceremony will take place later in the year.

I am satisfied that the retention of such flexibility does not detract from the key aim of the annual commemoration, which is to have a fitting national ceremony to remember and show respect for all those who died or suffered loss during the Great Famine.

In fact, this flexibility facilitates the commemoration being held in the most appropriate context each year. In the circumstances, I have no plans to designate a fixed date for the national Famine Commemoration.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the 'Community Participation' strand of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, over 84 public consultations, facilitated by the local authorities with the support from my Department, have taken place nationwide. The response has been enthusiastic from all local authorities and each of the local authorities has now developed a rich and diverse series of events and projects that will take place around the country next year. I was very pleased to participate with An Taoiseach and other Government colleagues at the official launch on 8 October last of the 31 individual county plans arising from this process. I allocated €1 million in current funding in 205 to support local authorities in this process, and on 25 October 2015, I joined the Taoiseach for the announcement of a further €3 million funding package in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and IPB Insurance. This three-fold increase in funding will help to develop and realise the plans being coordinated at a county level across the country. My officials have notified the local authorities of their increased allocation for 2016, and I am confident that this funding will help to maximise participation in the Ireland 2016 programme throughout each county.

The local authorities are now in the process of organising individual launches, including a wide variety of events, lectures and opportunities for the public to get involved with the programme. Further information in relation to the various events, activities and initiatives taking place under each of the above strands, including the 31 county plans launched in October, can be found on my Department’s dedicated website at www.ireland.ie.