Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

614. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will arrange a major commemoration event for the 100th anniversary in 2027 of the first non-stop flight by Charles Lindbergh from New York to Paris, which took place on 20th/21st May 1927, where he reached Ireland at Dingle Bay and flew over Portmagee (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48736/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

While the Commemorations Unit in my Department is responsible for co-ordinating the State’s approach to the appropriate remembrance of key historical events, personalities and themes, my Department has received no proposal for the commemoration of the event in question.

A key pillar of commemorations is supporting local communities and community groups to mark in a way specific to them, the events that they deem significant. Each year my Department allocates a funding allocation to every local authority to support the creation of appropriate community-led commemorations. The success of this approach was demonstrated recently when local committee, O’Connell250 from Cahersiveen, worked in collaboration with Kerry County Council and my Department to develop a commemorative programme to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell.

In addition, public bodies, sectoral stakeholders, third level institutions, and other organisations can bring forward proposals for commemorative events or programmes. Any such proposals received will be considered in the first instance by the Commemorations Advisory Committee.

I would ask the Deputy that if he is aware of a community group that have ideas for appropriate commemorative programming then they should be directed to the Commemorations Co-ordinators for their specific local authority - in this case Kerry County Council. The details of which are available on the commemorations page on Gov.ie. In the case of other bodies or organisations, proposals for support can be directed to the Commemorations Unit of my Department.