Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Government's approach to commemorating the Decade of Centenaries is informed by the work of the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations which has been in existence since the outset of the Decade of Centenaries. The development of the programme of commemorations for the second half of the Decade is being informed by the guiding principles of the Second Statement of the Expert Group which was published in October last year. The Expert Group is due to meet again on 20/11/2018. I would like to acknowledge the very significant work completed by the Advisory Group over the past year in formulating its guidance. I am now considering the recommendations of the Group and I anticipate that the remainder of the period will follow the approach adopted in the first half of the Decade of Centenaries of being respectful, meaningful, proportionate and authentic.

I also chair the All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations, which is made up of members of the Oireachtas and the Northern Ireland Assembly. I look forward to further engaged and constructive meetings of the group to explore and address appropriate commemoration of the events and milestones in the period covered by the next phase of the Decade of Centenaries.

My Department will also continue to consult and collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including the local authority network, in developing the State commemorative programme out to 2023.