Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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944. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department plans to fund a major, one hundred years commemoration in 2027 of Charles Lindbergh's reaching landfall at Portmagee, County Kerry during his world renowned first non-stop transatlantic flight from New York to Paris; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58355/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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As yet, my Department has not received any proposals to mark the centenary of the Charles Lindbergh's flight since the Deputy last raised this matter in September.

As I detailed in my previous response, the Commemorations Unit in my Department has responsibility to ensure that identified historical events, anniversaries and themes are recognised and remembered appropriately.

This year alone I have allocated over €500,000 to local authorities for the development and delivery of community-led commemorations.

Through this funding allocation, important events and anniversaries are remembered using a partnership approach between communities, the local authority and the State through the Commemorations Unit. The success of this approach can be seen with the community programme to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell and the three-day conference marking the centenary of the Irish Civil War in Kerry and nationally which took place in 2023.

As I mentioned in September, community groups who have ideas or proposals to mark the centenary of the Charles Lindbergh's flight should, in the first instance, be directed to their commemorations co-ordinator in their local authority, the details of which can be found on commemorations page of Gov.ie.

The projects selected for support are at the discretion of the local authority and all initiatives are required to be in keeping with the established guidelines and principles of Commemorations.

My Department will continue to work with project partners including other public bodies, third-level institutions and community groups through the local authority, to develop appropriate and interesting ways for people to engage, explore and remember the significant events of the past.