John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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721.To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the National Famine Commemoration Plaque, which should have been erected in the grounds of the Customs House (famine sculpture), has not been erected; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[34301/24]

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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722.To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider dropping the word "national" in relation to the National Famine Commemoration Day and instead call it the Irish Famine Commemoration Day, given that the commemoration takes place internationally and is an internationally inclusive day.[34302/24]

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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723.To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if, in the context of the marking annually of the Famine, one year's notice would be given to the town, city or townland area that will be hosting the national Famine commemoration.[34303/24]

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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724.To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider including the islands as a possible location for a future national Famine commemoration; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[34304/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 721 to 724, inclusive, together.

The National Famine Commemoration Committee (NFCC), was established in July 2008, following a Government decision to commemorate the Great Famine with an annual memorial day.

The main objective of the National Famine Commemoration Committee is to consider the most appropriate arrangements for an annual national commemoration of the Great Famine.

The committee’s key objective is to develop appropriate arrangements for this commemoration to ensure that the famine, its victims, and its legacy are not forgotten.

The ceremony itself comprises two elements. The first part typically involves cultural elements from the local community and an address from An tUachtarán or An Taoiseach. It then culminates in a formal State ceremonial event including the National flag, military honours and wreath laying ceremonies. The event is open to the public and usually takes place at a site with significant historical links to the Famine.

The formal ceremony is generally preceded by a week long programme of locally organised events (for example plays, lectures, art, walks, musical and choral recitals, readings etc), all connected to An Gorta Mór or famine in the modern world. It is, therefore, essential that any proposal would have strong support within the local community. In this regard, it is intended that the Local Authority would consult widely with local and community organisations, schools, historical societies or local Famine commemoration committees, and other interested parties.

The annual ceremony is hosted by my Department and is presided over by An tUachtarán or An Taoiseach on alternating years. My Department will shortly write to local authorities in Munster (the next province in rotation), inviting applications from Local Authorities that may be interested in hosting the 2025 National Famine Commemoration. Were a decision or announcement of the venue to be made 12 months in advance, this would in my view place an unreasonable obligation on local authorities with regard to preparing proposals up to eighteen months before the planned date for the event.

The proposal of a particular venue is a matter for each local authority. If one were to propose a venue on one of our offshore islands, this would of course be given full consideration by the NFCC, with particular regard to the issue of accessibility for the wider local community.

It is appropriate to retain the name National Famine Commemoration as the event represents the official State commemoration of the Great Famine. There is a separate initiative, called the International Famine Commemoration, which has been held since 2009. This is usually hosted by an Irish community abroad in Canada, USA, Australia or the UK. The Department of Foreign Affairs takes the lead role in the identifying of a host location and organising the itinerary for these events.

With regard to the installation of a plaque, I am advised that this refers to a proposal by an individual to erect a plaque, not in the grounds of the Custom House but rather at the famine memorial monument on Custom House Quay. As this is in the public realm it is a matter for consideration by Dublin City Council and my Department will write to the person shortly with details on how to engage with the Council on the matter.