‘Lack of preparedness’ for 1916 commemoration

Plans for the commemoration of the 1916 Rising will be launched for public consultation in the coming weeks. The Minister for Arts and Heritage, Heather Humphreys, was finalising a draft schedule of events which will be launched after the budget.

A spokesperson said the minister wanted to ensure all interested parties could make their views known.

The announcement came as Sinn Féin accused the Government of “indifference” and a “lack of preparedness” for the centenary. The claim was made by Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams at a speech to a party gathering in Belfast last night, during which he also called for the involvement of the diaspora.