Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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70. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the Decade of Centenaries commemorative events she has attended since 26 March 2016; and the commemorative events she hopes to attend during the remainder of 2017. [22974/17]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I have attended a large number of commemorative events since Easter Saturday, 26^thMarch 2016, as part of the Decade of Centenaries commemorative programme.

The 1916 centenary commemorations were inclusive, respectful and measured and sought to strengthen peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.Never in the history of our State have so many of our citizens been involved in shared historical and cultural events that honoured the courage, dignity, and ideals of the events and personalities of that tumultuous time in our history. A million people came out on to the streets of Dublin over the Easter weekend in 2016 – in an extraordinary celebration and commemoration, the like of which we may never see again in our lifetimes.

Last year we also commemorated the Battle of the Somme. I travelled to the site of the Battle of the Somme at Thiepval in Northern France on July 1^stto participate in the commemoration, which was jointly hosted by the French and British Governments. I returned to France in September, to remember the fateful events which took place in Guillemont 100 years previously.

This year I also attended official State ceremonies to commemorations to mark the Easter Rising and just last week, I attended commemorations of the Battle of Messines Ridge at the Island of Ireland Peace Park in Messines, which were jointly led by the Governments of Ireland and the UK, in partnership with the Mayor of Messines.

Commemorating these events has deepened our understanding of the context of that time – an understanding which is respectful of alternative perspectives and which has contributed towards a society that is more knowledge of its complex history.

The full list of State Ceremonial events which I attended since 26^thMarch 2016, is set out in the table to this reply which will be published in the official report. In addition to these formal State ceremonial events, I attended a range of cultural, educational, historical and ceremonial events which were supported by the State, or led at local authority or community level.

As Minister with responsibility for Commemorations I will continue to attend many events over the coming period, including for example, the State Ceremonial event to honour poet Francis Ledgewidge in Slane on the 24^thof June. In terms of the overall approach to the Decade of Centenaries, the Government will be continue to guided by the advice of the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations in this regard.