655. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his Department's plans to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the election of Daniel O'Connell in County Clare in 1828; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65586/26]

The Commemorations Unit in my Department helps to manage the appropriate remembrance of Ireland's rich and resonant past by the State and its institutions. It does so collaboratively, with input and coordination between the State, key project partners and stakeholders. This is led by expert and independent advice from the Commemorations Advisory Committee, chaired by Bryan Dobson.

The Advisory Committee and the Department as a whole has long recognised the fundamental importance of Daniel O’Connell to Irish history. Last year, there was a significant historical and commemorative programme marking the 250th anniversary of his birth which culminated in a state-led commemoration at Derrynane House on the 6 August, 2025.

Various other dates relating to O’Connell’s life and work have been identified by the Commemorations Advisory Committee as worthy of recognition. These include the 200th anniversary of his election to the House of Commons and the 250th anniversary of the Catholic Emancipation Act in 2029.

While I would not envisage as significant a programme of commemoration just two years after the previous, my Department will work with our project partners to develop appropriate commemorations to mark the date. The aim will be to ensure that this anniversary is remembered appropriately, following the established commemorations framework.

In particular, I would encourage interested individuals or groups who have ideas for the appropriate commemoration of her life to reach out to the commemoration’s coordinator of their local authority who develop and deliver commemorative programming with support from my Department 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.

I would note as well that a programme of events led by Trinity College Dublin which stems from the Daniel O’Connell 250th Anniversary Commemorative Programme is already running and will continue up to the 2029 anniversary of the Catholic Emancipation Act.