Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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As we navigate the most challenging and sensitive phase of the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023, the Government's approach to commemorations continues to be under-pinned by the guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations (EAG) and informed by consultation with the All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations. The EAG has published three statements to date, which can be found on gov.ie.

(www.gov.ie/en/publication/a5ead-decade-of-centenaries/). I would urge everyone who has an interest in the current period of commemorations to consult the principles and advice set out in these publications

I am committed to ensuring that the State's approach to the remembrance of the Civil War and all of those who lost their lives during those years, is based on the respectful, sensitive, measured and authentic ethos that has become the hallmark of the Decade of Centenaries Programme.

Historical accuracy, academic integrity and archival discovery are key tenets as the Civil War commemorative programme continues to develop, to follow the centenary timeline of the historical events of the period. It is important that our history is faithfully presented, even when the historical record is distressing. We must acknowledge the great tragedy of all of the lives that were lost or irrevocably altered during those divisive and traumatic years.

I welcome and encourage the continuing research of historians and custodians of records, who seek to increase our understanding of the historical events that occurred, which have so significantly shaped our modern world. The State’s Decade of Centenaries Programme invites everyone to consider the painful legacies of our past and reach their own conclusions – the programme does not seek to communicate a preferred narrative or make judgements about any persons or actions. It is not appropriate for the State to retrospectively analyse historical events, through the lens of contemporary perspectives. This is best left to scholars trained in the discipline of history. The guidance of the Expert Advisory Group in this regard is clear –

“The State’s task is to encourage a reflective and a reconciliatory tone that recognises that neither side had the monopoly of either atrocity or virtue and this was true of words as well as actions."