Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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53. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a summary of the guidance of the expert advisory group on the decade of centenaries 1919 to 1923 and the plans for commemorative events for the period. [1754/19]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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As the Minister with responsibility for leading the Decade of Centenaries commemorative programme, my priority is to ensure that the Government's approach to the remembrance of the significant historical events and related themes of the period from 1919 to 1923 is appropriate, measured, respectful, inclusive and sensitive to the different perspectives that persist on the events of this period.

At the Government's first cabinet meeting this year, I outlined my proposed overall approach to commemorations in 2019 and over the remainder of the Decade. This approach will continue to be informed by the guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations - specifically, the principles laid down in the Advisory Group's Second Statement, which was published in October 2017, and also the most recent specific guidance from this Group, which I published on 8th January. This guidance is available on my Department's website (). The advice will inform the Government's approach to the remembrance of specific historical events over the coming years, including the Struggle for Independence, the Civil War, the Foundation of the State and Partition. This latest guidance follows from last year's publication of the Group's Second Statement of Principles. These guiding principles have been widely commended for providing clarity and a broad template to support all involved in delivering authentic, citizen-focused and meaningful commemorations at national and local level over the remainder of the Decade.

The All Party Consultation Group also has a significant contribution to make and will be instrumental in promoting an authentic, consensus-based and inclusive approach. I look forward to continued positive engagement and consultation with both groups over the coming period.

My objective in developing the State Commemorative Programme for the years from 2019 – 2023 is to ensure that, in remembering this complex period in our history, which includes the Struggle for Independence, the Civil War, the Foundation of the State and Partition, we promote a deeper understanding of the significance of these events, which accepts that the shared historical experience of those years gave rise to very different narratives and memories. It will also take account of sensitivities across communities in Northern Ireland and continue to recognise that very different perspectives persist on many of these events.

This Programme will be based on a four strand approach comprising:

A State Ceremonial Strand which will comprise a limited number of symbolic acts of national commemoration focusing on themes of remembrance and reconciliation and on the commemoration of all of those who lost their lives during this period.

A Historical Strand which will comprise a diverse range of activities designed to encourage authentic historical enquiry about this period and promote the use of primary archival sources. Initiatives will be developed in collaboration with State partners, National Cultural Institutions, institutions of learning and other stakeholders.

A Community Strand, which will involve a collaborative approach – similar to that adopted for the 1916 centenary commemorations – between the State, local authority network and community organisations, including in Northern Ireland where appropriate.

The Creative Imagination Strand, which will continue to encourage artistic and creative expression in remembrance of the significant historical events of the period from 1919 to 1923 and all of those who lost their lives.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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54. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will be attending the commemoration of the Soloheadbeag ambush in January 2019. [54138/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Plans to mark the centenary of the Soloheadbeg Ambush on 21st January 2019 are well advanced. Tipperary County Council is supporting a community-led commemoration on Sunday, 20th January, as part of a broader commemorative programme across the county to mark the centenary of the Independence Struggle. My Department is collaborating with Tipperary County Council to support these plans, in accordance with the most recent guidance of the Expert Advisory Group, which states that:

'Many of the events of this period have great local significance; it is therefore appropriate for local authorities and local community organisations to be encouraged to lead the commemorative process. Some events have been commemorated annually for decades and it would be inappropriate for the State to compete with these established ceremonies.

I can advise the Deputy that I will be representing the Government at this commemoration. I might add that I have approved a grant allocation of €10,000 to assist Tipperary County Council in supporting the local commemorative committee and wider community in developing their plans, in recognition of the significance of the Soloheadbeg Ambush as the generally accepted first action in the War of Independence. It is, I believe, very fitting that local authorities have a leading role in supporting inclusive, respectful and meaningful community-led commemorations such as this one which remember all of the lives lost, augmented as appropriate with support from the State, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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56. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding streams being made available for the decade of centenaries through the all-party committee on commemorations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1766/19]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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As Chair of the All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations (APCGC) I reconvened the group last October and our initial meeting was well attended with good engagement and a wide range of perspectives were offered on the themes anticipated over the second phase of the Decade of Centenaries. The group is composed of members of the Oireachtas and the SDLP and Alliance political parties in Northern Ireland.

The Group is consultative in nature - funding to underpin and support elements of the Decade of Centenaries Programme will be administered directly by my Department. The process by which funding is administered will be informed by my consultation with partners and relevant stakeholder bodies. I have allocated €1.1m to support the Decade of Centenaries Programme in 2019. This is €250k above the funding level in 2018 and I will seek to continue to adequately and appropriately resource the programme in future years.

I have recently published the Guidance Report of the Expert Advisory Group (EAG) on Commemorations and this important and very valuable advice will help inform our next meeting of the All-Party Group.

I look forward to future meetings of both groups to explore and address appropriate commemoration of the events and milestones in the period covered by the next phase of the Decade of Centenaries. Both groups are due to meet shortly.

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

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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57. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will report on the commemorations planned by her Department for 2019. [50452/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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As the Minister with responsibility for leading the Decade of Centenaries commemorative programme, my priority is to ensure that the Government's approach to the remembrance of the significant historical events and related themes of the period from 1919 to 1923 is appropriate, measured, respectful, inclusive and sensitive to the different perspectives that persist on the events of this period.

The programme will be based on a four strand approach comprising:

- A State Ceremonial Strand which will comprise a limited number of symbolic acts of national commemoration focusing on themes of remembrance and reconciliation and on the commemoration of all of those who lost their lives during this period.

- An Historical Strand which will comprise a diverse range of activities designed to encourage authentic historical enquiry about this period and promote the use of primary archival sources. Initiatives will be developed in collaboration with State partners, National Cultural Institutions, institutions of learning and other stakeholders.

- A Community Strand, which will involve a collaborative approach – similar to that adopted for the 1916 centenary commemorations – between the State, local authority network and community organisations, including in Northern Ireland where appropriate.

- The Creative Imagination Strand, which will continue to encourage artistic and creative expression in remembrance of the significant historical events of the period from 1919 to 1923 and all of those who lost their lives.

With regard to the State commemoration programme for 2019, I can advise that it commences with engagement by my Department on the marking of the centenary of the Soloheadbeg Ambush on 21st January 2019. Tipperary County Council is supporting a community-led commemoration on Sunday, 20th January, as part of a broader commemorative programme across the county to mark the centenary of the Independence Struggle. My Department is collaborating with Tipperary County Council to support these plans, in accordance with the most recent guidance of the Expert Advisory Group.

I have approved a grant allocation of €10,000 to assist Tipperary County Council in supporting the local commemorative committee and wider community in developing their plans, in recognition of the significance of the Soloheadbeg Ambush as the generally accepted first action in the War of Independence.

Significantly, on the day of the ambush, Dáil Éireann was also convened for the first time. The Houses of the Oireachtas are leading plans to mark this centenary and have developed a diverse and inclusive public engagement programme – accessible at www.dail100.ie.