Plans approved for 1916 commemoration

The Cabinet has approved arrangements for this year's 1916 commemoration on Easter Sunday.

It will involve a wreath laying ceremony outside the GPO on O'Connell Street in Dublin and a march past by Army units.

The ceremony will not be as elaborate as last year's 90th anniversary commemoration, but will follow the template adopted for the 75th anniversary of the Rising in 1991.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Defence said the parade on Easter Sunday would involve a march past the GPO by 350 members of the Defence Forces.

The Army brass and pipe bands would be among the units involved along with representatives of the Army, the Naval Service and the Aer Corps.

At noon the national flag will be lowered and a wreath laid by President McAleese in honour of those who died in 1916.

The Proclamation will be read by an Army officer, a minute's silence observed and the tricolour will be raised.

A reception will be held in the GPO after the ceremony. Relatives of those who took part in 1916, including representatives of the families of Eamon de Valera and Michael Collins, will be guests of honour at the reception.

Other guests will include members of the Government, the Oireachtas, the judiciary, the diplomatic corps and the social partners.