Plans for 1916 celebrations to be published within weeks

The Government is expected to publish its plans for the 1916 centenary celebrations in the coming weeks, with a public consultation process to follow.

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys and the Minister of State in her department, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, addressed the Oireachtas all-party Consultation Group on Centenary Commemorations yesterday.

While no firm details emerged at the meeting, Ms Humphreys told attendees concrete plans would be released within a fortnight.

It is understood the broad framework of the commemorations will stretch from March to May, the anniversary of the deaths of the 1916 leaders. The plans will include a State commemoration on Easter Monday, March 28th, 2016.

Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh, who sat on the committee for a decade, said detailed plans are needed soon to allow organisations such as the National Museum and the Abbey Theatre to plan ahead. “They gave us a promise they may have a programme in two weeks, ” he said. “I’ve been hearing that for eight years and I heard the same thing in 2006.”

Ms Humphreys held a meeting with relatives of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation yesterday at which they urged her to reconsider the planned demolition of Dublin city centre buildings which they believe were part of the Easter Rising battlefield.

The relatives’ technical team presented evidence of the historical significance of the buildings, which are scheduled for demolition to make way for a shopping centre.

The group hopes the evidence will make the Minister halt the consent order, and initiate an immediate independent survey of the entire Moore Street site, including numbers 13, 18 and 19.

The group said evidence presented to her predecessor, Jimmy Deenihan, was inaccurate. Earlier this year, Mr Deenihan approved revised designs for the creation of a commemorative centre at the national monument at Nos 14-17 Moore Street. No 16 was the final headquarters of the Rising's leaders prior to surrender.

Calling for the extension of the preservation order to the neighbouring buildings, James Connolly Heron, great-grandson of James Connolly, said: "There can be no room for uncertainty or doubt because the issue is of fundamental importance. According to the National Museum, it's the most important historic site in modern Irish history."

Ms Humphreys agreed to issue a formal response to the issues raised at the meeting, which family members said was “heated” towards the end.

A statement released by a spokeswoman for Ms Humphreys after the meeting said the Government was committed to involving the relatives in the 1916 commemorations. “The Minister will reach out to local communities and the arts and education sectors, to make the commemorations a nationwide event.”