Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

691. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has received representations from a group (details supplied) in relation to the allocation of funding to the National Museum of Ireland for an exhibition on An Gorta Mór; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21817/19]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have received a number of representations in relation to the Famine from the group. 

As I have previously advised the House, decisions in relation to the curation and presentation of temporary or permanent exhibitions within national cultural institutions are operational matters for the relevant cultural institutions.  

As the Deputy may be aware, the National Famine Commemoration 2019 took place in Sligo on Sunday, May 19th 2019. An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar T.D., led the official representation at the commemoration ceremony accompanied by myself, in my role as Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee.

The commemoration programme opened with a ceremony in which the local community participated and culminated in the formal State ceremonial event.  Defence Forces Personnel took part in the ceremonial event which included military honours, a minute’s silence  and a wreath-laying ceremony.