Speeches

Jeffrey M. Donaldson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jeffrey M. Donaldson on 2016-01-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans she has to participate in events to commemorate the centenary of the (a) Easter Rising and (b) Battle of the Somme.

Mrs Theresa Villiers

One of the Northern Ireland Office’s objectives for the commemoration of the decade of centenaries of 1912-1922 is to work with the Irish Government to promote greater understanding of our shared history and promote reconciliation.

2016 will mark the centenary of a number of significant events including the Easter Rising, the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Jutland. The Northern Ireland Office is working with colleagues in DCMS and others to prepare for a number of these commemorations. All invitations received are being considered on a case by case basis.