Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

64. To ask the Minister for Defence the degree to which the Defence Forces will play a role in the 1916 commemorations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2805/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Whilst 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 are nevertheless playing a significant role in many of the events planned for 2016.

My Department is currently working very closely with the Ireland 2016 Project Office in the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and with officials in the Department of the Taoiseach. Planning is now at an advanced stage to ensure appropriate levels of involvement by the Defence Forces in many of the events that are scheduled for the year ahead as part of the State Centenary Programme.

The role of the Defence Forces will be extensive and central to the State Ceremonial events. This commenced on 1^stAugust 2015 when the centenary of the funeral of O’Donovan Rossa was marked with a State ceremony at Glasnevin Cemetary. On 1^stJanuary 2016 the Defence Forces played an important ceremonial role in a Flag Raising event held in Dublin Castle.

The Commemoration at the GPO on Easter Sunday 2016 will be followed by a parade which will entail a full military display including peace keeping elements. There will be approximately 2,500 Defence Forces personnel marching in the parade including three bands and horses and a range of Defence Forces vehicles. The centre piece of the parade will have a peacekeeping theme.

A wide range of other State events are being organised to mark the centenary and many will involve participation by the Defence Forces. For example, on Easter Monday, synchronised wreath-laying ceremonies will be held at iconic sites in Dublin and at key locations countrywide and all will incorporate a formal military ceremonial element. They will participate in State ceremonies to mark the 1916 rising anniversary date on 24^thApril 2016 in Arbour Hill and at events on the anniversary dates in May of the execution of 15 of the leaders of the 1916 Rising that are being held at both Kilmainham Gaol and Cork.

There are a number of other events with significant Defence Forces involvement, such as a comprehensive programme of events relating to the National Flag including flag raising ceremonies in Dublin and elsewhere, and the presentation by members of the Defence Forces of the National Flag to all of the Primary schools in the State. This element of the Programme has already commenced and will continue up until March this year.

Overall, it is clear that my Department and the Defence Forces will play a very central and important role in many of the historic Commemoration events that will take place during 2016.