Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
492. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his attention has been drawn to a project awarded funding under the Shared Island Civic Society Fund (details supplied); the mechanisms in place to support groups in securing a home for their project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38752/26]
View answer493. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will facilitate a meeting with a group awarded funding under the Shared Island Civic Society Fund (details supplied), specifically in relation to finding a suitable place to locate their project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38753/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 492 and 493 together.
The Office of Public Works conserves and presents Ireland's historic cultural sites including National Monuments, buildings and designed landscapes to the highest international standards while maintaining the balance between cultural features such as memorials and statuary with the designed landscape and horticultural elements.
The Irish National War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge are the State's location of remembrance, a memorial dedicated to those who fought and lost their lives in the Great War. For many decades, the State has invested in the conservation and refurbishment of these gardens and continues to invest on an annual basis in staffing and conservation to ensure this memorial site is presented to the highest standards. These internationally significant commemorative gardens serve as a location of contemplation and reflection for families who lost loved ones in World War I but also for those who fought and returned home.
As the State already has a dedicated, permanent memorial to those who died in World War I, it is OPW policy that a second or alternative memorial at a national historic site would not be appropriate, and that Local Authorities may be better placed to assist the group in obtaining a suitable location in any number of public spaces under their jurisdictions.
However, I am sympathetic to the intentions of the group mentioned by the Deputy, and will facilitate a meeting between them, my officials and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs who administer the funding in question, to see how best to progress the matter. I hope to see this meeting take place shortly.
