asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that, while practically every citizen of this State is in favour of the proposal to establish, in Dublin, a garden of remembrance to commemorate all who died in the cause of Irish freedom, there is considerable dissatisfaction with the suggestion that this garden should be situated in Parnell Square, which, because of the small area of ground available, and for other reasons, would tend to render the proposed memorial inadequate; whether, in the circumstances, before any further steps are taken in this matter, he will cause an inquiry to be held to ascertain if a better site can be acquired or made available in Dublin so that the memorial may be, in every way, worthy of the high purpose for which it is intended.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Garden of Remembrance.
The northerly end of the Rotunda Gardens was specially selected as the site of a garden of remembrance to be dedicated to those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish freedom, following representations made by the Dublin Brigade Council of the Old I.R.A. as to the associations of this site with the events of Easter Week. Any criticisms of the site are outweighed by these associations and by the further consideration that the garden of remembrance will provide an open space not hitherto available upon the main artery of the city and within easy access. The area of the site is admittedly small, but is not regarded as inadequate for the type of memorial contemplated and, in any case, it is not to be assumed that the conversion of this site into a memorial as proposed must necessarily preclude the erection elsewhere of a more adequate national memorial to those whom the nation may desire to honour and commemorate. Invitations to architects to submit designs have already been issued by public advertisement and I am not prepared to cause an inquiry to be held as suggested in the Deputy's question.