Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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540. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the government plans to mark the bicentennial anniversary of Catholic emancipation in 2029. [54760/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Commemorations Unit in my Department co-ordinates the appropriate remembrance of Ireland's many historical events, anniversaries and themes.

Commemorations have always been delivered through a collaborative process between the State, key project partners and stakeholders. This has been guided by expert and independent advice formerly from the Expert Advisory Group and now by the newly formed Commemorations Advisory Committee, chaired by Bryan Dobson.

The 250th anniversary of the Catholic Emancipation Act in 2029 has been identified by the Commemorations Advisory Committee and other stakeholders as worthy of recognition and remembrance. This is not only in terms of religious freedom but also in the broader context of the global campaign for human and civil rights.

My Department will work with our project partners to develop a programme that will be shared in a Memorandum in due course. The aim will be to ensure that this anniversary is remembered appropriately, following the established commemorations framework.

A programme of events led by Trinity College Dublin which stems from the Daniel O’Connell 250th Anniversary Commemorative Programme is already confirmed to run up to and mark the anniversary in 2029. Other initiatives are at a research and development stage.

It is proposed that this anniversary and the key participants including O’Connell himself, will remain in the commemorative work programme for the years to come. This includes making supports available to the local authority network through the commemoration grant funding allocation. This supports local communities who wish to recognise and develop appropriate commemorative initiatives associated with this theme and using the approved framework of commemorations.