Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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69. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will report on the most recent meeting of the all-party committee on commemorations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1767/19]

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

I have recently published the Guidance Report of the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations and this important and very valuable advice will help inform discussions at the next meeting of the All-Party Group which I intend to schedule shortly.

I look forward to future 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.

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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70. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for War of Independence and Civil War commemorations in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1546/19]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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As we approach the most challenging and sensitive phase of the Decade of Centenaries, the Government will continue to be advised and supported in its commemoration plans by the guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations, and consultation with the All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations.

One of the cornerstones of the State's approach to commemorations over the coming years will be to continue to further reconciliation on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain.

I am committed to ensuring that the State's approach to remembering this very complex period in our history, and all of those who lost their lives during those years, will be based on the respectful, sensitive, appropriate and authentic approach that has become the hallmark of the Decade of Centenaries commemorative programme.

I expect that local authorities will continue to have a key role in supporting engagement and facilitation in local communities and in developing appropriate commemorative initiatives as part of the Decade of Centenaries. This is particularly important, given the significance of and the need to be sensitive to the local historical context. It is also in line with the principles expressed by the Expert Advisory Group in their Second Statement.

I approved a funding allocation of €5,000 for each local authority in 2018 under the Decade of Centenaries programme. This funding was provided to support local authorities in responding to the themes of the State commemorative programme for 2018; and in developing inclusive, appropriate and citizen focused initiatives, to encourage people of all ages to explore significant aspects of the political, historical, social and cultural context of that period. Funding allocations for local authorities including Wexford County Council in 2019 are currently under consideration and I expect to make an announcement in this regard shortly.