IT has been a week of commemorations and reflections across Fermanagh as people remembered those killed in the First and Second World Wars.

And with the 200th anniversary of the battle of Waterloo next year, Tourism Minister Arlene Foster wants to see the role of the Inniskilling Dragoons in that battle remembered too.

Minister Foster, a Fermanagh-south Tyrone MLA, told the House on Monday that she wants to ensure “that our voice is heard” after the UUP’s Leslie Cree asked her if the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) would be commemorating the role of Irish soldiers in the battle.

The Minister confirmed that the Tourist Board had not been approached about the anniversary and added: “NITB is working alongside tourism partners in Fermanagh on the heritage gateway to Fermanagh project. That will see radical refurbishment of the Enniskillen Castle complex that houses the Inniskillings Museum.” Mr. Cree responded: “I know that the Minister is aware that Arthur Wellesley, arguably Britain’s greatest soldier, was born in Dublin or thereabouts. He was a sponsor of Catholic emancipation and defeated Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo in 1815. Surely that bicentenary deserves to be commemorated and presents a unique opportunity to attract tourists.” Minister Foster explained that the UK government has “advanced plans” to remember those killed.

“They have been to the site, and I think that they have actually donated £1 million to help with the upgrade of the site for 2015. Certainly, with the Inniskillings’ connection, we will want to ensure that our voice is heard in relation to any benefit that we can achieve there.

“Given that we have stepped forward in relation to a number of these very significant commemorations, we should certainly ensure that our voice is heard in relation to the battle of Waterloo as well. We should claim it as our own,” she said.