Famine memorial day to reflect 'terrible loss of life'

An annual memorial day for the Great Famine will reflect the historic and terrible loss of life, the significance of the famine for the Irish diaspora and the continuing issues of hunger and food security, according to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Mr Ahern said the interdepartmental group established to consider a commemoration would report shortly.

He expected that an "appropriate and sustainable" commemoration would be organised by groups interested in famine prevention and overseas aid, and the Government would be represented each year at the event.

"There is no doubt about the significance of the famine in history and our official commitment to humanitarian relief. I would like to make it a meaningful day rather than a day when nothing happens," he said.

"If we could try to place it in the context of how we suffered from famine, the fact that others still suffer from famine, what we do as a country in respect of overseas development aid which involves one of the highest figures in the developed world and the fact that so many of our NGOs are modern-day missionaries and that lay people are now doing this work, it could be a worthwhile effort."

Sinn Féin's Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin called for Victoria Quay in Dublin to be changed to Fenian quay to mark the 150th anniversary next year of the founding of the Fenian movement, "the Irish Republican Brotherhood [ was] one of the most influential bodies of Irish political thinking in our history".

He said Victoria Quay "commemorates the rule on these islands of the so-called Famine Queen, as she was referred to by many Irish people, Queen Victoria. Is it not appropriate to revisit that quay? As it is directly across from the Croppy Acre, maybe it could become Fenian quay?"

Mr Ahern said he would give Deputy Ó Caoláin's suggestions "to the commemorative committee in my department for examination.

"I am not aware if there is a particular commemoration or if an organisation has requested funding regarding the Irish Republican Brotherhood."