Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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27. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of her plans for a famine memorial in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin 11; and her further plans to assign a fixed memorial day to commemorate the Great Famine, given that this tragedy has played a part in shaping Ireland and much of the world. [19869/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The National Famine Commemoration will take place on September 11th in Glasnevin Cemetery. As in previous years, the ceremony will include the unveiling of a permanent memorial at the site of the commemoration. Meetings between officials from my Department and the Glasnevin Trust in relation to both the arrangements for the commemoration itself and the memorial are ongoing.

With regard to a fixed memorial day, the National Famine Commemoration Committee has previously discussed the issue of a fixed date for the commemoration and is of the view that flexibility regarding the date is preferable. This flexibility allows space to adapt to the demanding schedules faced by the President and An Taoiseach with a view to their leading the official representation at the annual National Famine Commemoration ceremony whenever possible, and also to allow for any particular circumstances that may arise from time to time around the arrangements.

I am satisfied that the retention of flexibility in relation to the date of the commemoration does not detract from its key aim, 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, maximising the quality of the programme and the levels of public attention it receives. In the circumstances, I have no plans to designate a fixed date for the National Famine Commemoration.