Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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57. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions he has undertaken in his role to promote Ireland’s republican history. [63076/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a supportive and facilitative approach to commemorations and seeks to acknowledge all facets of our history. Through the Commemorations Unit the Department works with key stakeholders and project partners to create interesting and creative ways that facilitates audiences to engage with the events, themes and personalities of our past.

To ensure an appropriate approach to commemorations the Government sought independent advice and guidance. This was primarily provided by the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations (EAG) in consultation with the All-Party Group on Commemorations and other key stakeholders. The guidelines and principles established by the Group continues to guide the State’s approach to commemorations. New guidelines and principals are currently being developed by the Commemorations Advisory Committee established earlier this year and will be published next year.

Each year I also make a funding allocation available to all local authorities for the development of community-led commemorative programming. Through this allocation local communities are supported as they identify and decide how to mark significant historical local events and personalities. All events supported by the Department are required to be in-keeping with the principles of commemorations and are at the discretion of the local authority.