Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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85. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the State commemorations being planned for the remainder of 2020 and 2021 as part of the decade of centenaries. [27488/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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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 1920 to 1923 is appropriate, measured, respectful, inclusive and sensitive to the different perspectives that persist on the events of this period.

The public health emergency caused by Covid-19 has impacted significantly on the scope for 'in-person' commemorative events and my Department is engaged with our partners and stakeholders to address the challenges presented in order to continue to deliver the Decade of Centenaries programme in a safe and meaningful way.

A significant Decade of Centenaries programme for 2020 was launched in January this year, and included a major commemorative centenary programme in remembrance of the significant events that occurred in Cork City and throughout the county in 1920.  Work is ongoing on that programme, which includes a State Ceremonial event on the 1^stNovember later this year to reflect Cork’s contribution to the Struggle for Independence.  However, as with all event planning at this time some elements of the programme have been cancelled or postponed with others being significantly reconfigured to comply with Covid-19 guidelines, in particular restrictions on mass gatherings and physical distancing.

The significant State commemorations currently being planned for 2021 as part of the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023 consist of the following:

1. A ceremonial event at the Custom House Dublin in late May 2021 to appropriately mark the centenary of the burning of the Custom House.

2. A commemoration for all those who lost their lives during the War of Independence, to take place on a suitable date close to the centenary of the coming into effect of the Truce on 11^thJuly 1921 in accordance with the guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations.

For completeness of my reply, the Deputy may also wish to note that the annual Easter 1916 Ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday 4^thApril, 2021 and the annual National Day of Commemoration Ceremony, to honour all those Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations will take place on Sunday 11^thJuly, 2021.

All of the planned events above will comply with the public health advice pertaining as each date falls.

In addition, my Department continues to support a diverse commemorative programme of initiatives, events(where possible) and activity delivered by partners and stakeholders throughout the country, information on the programme and associated resources can be found on www.decadeofcentenaries.com.  I intend that this support for the programme will remain in place out to 2023.

The Government's approach to the Decade of Centenaries commemorations will continue to be informed by advice from the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations and consultation with the All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations - I will reconvene the latter group shortly.

I am committed to ensuring that the State's approach to the remembrance of this very complex period in our history and all of those who suffered or lost their lives during those years, will be based on the ethos of authenticity that has become the hallmark of the Decade of Centenaries programme.