Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 1

Adjournment Debate. - Sale of Dublin Site.

Mr. G. Mitchell

I would like to give a minute of my time to Deputies Upton and McGennis, my colleagues in the constituency.

The old Rowntree Mackintosh site on Inchicore Road, Kilmainham is directly opposite Kilmainham Gaol, which will be well known to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Deputy de Valera, and the Minister of State at the Department, Deputy Ó Cuív, because their grandfather, Eamon de Valera, spent some time in that gaol at the time of the rising which gave rise to the foundation of this State. Inchicore and Kilmainham is a very historic area. W.T. Cosgrave was born in Kilmainham and was incarcerated within the vicinity of Inchicore. My own father is from Emmet Road, Inchicore and my mother is from Mount Brown, Kilmainham, both equidistant from this site and from Kilmainham Gaol. Both my parents could have literally thrown a stone into the gaol yard.

In their memory, the memory of all the people from Inchicore and Kilmainham who consider that site to be precious, the memory of the Minister of State's own grandfather, the memory of W.T. Cosgrave and the memory of the people who gave their lives to found this State and who served in this State, I ask the Minister, who told us that Dúchas already has 700 sites and it does not need one more, to now take on this historic site, which dates back to a campsite for Brian Boru; there is evidence to show that is the case.

What is proposed for this site is a commercial development which will be little more than a major office block with a few dressing up facilities attached. It will do terrible damage to the vicinity. It would bring an enormous amount of traffic and overlook houses in the vicinity. This site, which can be seen from the Phoenix Park and is adjacent to the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the only 16th century building in Dublin, if not in the country, still in use, is an important historic site. I plead with the Minister to enter into negotiations with Dublin Corporation to acquire this site and put it to use for cultural and heritage purposes, perhaps with the addition of a suitable hotel for tourists who are attracted into the area. I ask the Minister to make it a total of 701 sites and to meet a deputation of local people and Deputies to discuss this possibility.

Dr. Upton

I thank Deputy Mitchell for sharing his time with me. The proposed development of this historic site will add nothing to the area. Rather it will seriously damage the great historic and cultural value of the environment around Kilmainham. The application admits it has nothing to offer the local community. Many of the representations made refer to the great historic value of Kilmainham Gaol. This needs to be to the forefront in the consideration of any planning application. As it stands, the proposed development will totally dwarf the gaol.

Something like 200,000 visitors visit this historic area every year. Some parts of the site could be used to develop and exploit the tourism potential of Kilmainham. The Kilmainham and Inchicore areas have great potential but in the past they have not been developed to the benefit of local people. I ask the Minister to give careful consideration to the request of local people who, together with those who have an interest in local and national culture and history, are interested in the retention of the site for development as a cultural area.

Ms M. McGennis

I thank Deputy Mitchell for giving me an opportunity to make a plea not only on behalf of the residents of the area but on historic grounds.

The Minister may say this is a matter for Dublin Corporation. However, even if it decides to refuse the application, which has been described by my constituency colleagues as an abomination, the local community and Dublin as a whole will have to fight a running battle in relation to this site which was once occupied by the old Rowntree factory and has been taken over by Nestlé. Due to its zoning and usage it is ripe for the wrong type of development. It appears from the soundings made to Dublin Corporation there is a strong possibility that if this application is refused a future application will proceed. We do not want to have to fight a running battle in relation to the future of the site.

As Deputy Mitchell said, a response to the city council indicated that the Minister has sufficient sites in her ownership and she does not want to take on another one. If she does not take on this site this area will be destroyed. I plead with the Minister to look sympathetically at our request and to urgently meet a deputation to discuss the future of the site.

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Éamon Ó Cuív)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to put on the record the position in relation to Kilmainham Gaol.

Kilmainham Gaol is one of the most important of the heritage sites managed by the Department. It was first opened in 1796 and served as a gaol until 1924. During its period of operation Kilmainham Gaol could be said to have functioned like a political seismograph, recording most of the significant tremors in the often turbulent relations between this country and our neighbours. With the exception of perhaps Daniel O'Connell and Michael Collins, it is possible to draw up a comprehensive list of nationalist leaders, including Éamon de Valera—

Mr. G. Mitchell

And Parnell.

Éamon Ó Cuív

I will not list all the great people such as Robert Emmet, Ann Devlin and others who were incarcerated in the prison. The 1916 leaders were also executed in the prison. It is possible to draw up a comprehensive list of nationalist leaders who were prisoners in Kilmainham during the years it operated as a gaol. The record will show that Éamon de Valera was the last prisoner to be released from Kilmainham Gaol. It can be said, therefore, that while the gaol may be empty of prisoners it is filled with history.

Kilmainham Gaol is one of the most important of the heritage sites managed by the Department. By way of example, the number of visitors to the gaol in 2000 was in excess of 103,000. This does not take account of the some 17,000 who visited the site under the free educational visits scheme operated by the Department at heritage sites. Deputies on all sides of the House will agree that the figures I have quoted are significant and reflect the status which the site enjoys not only among our population but also among overseas visitors.

I have long recognised the important role the gaol has played both in terms of the heritage of Dublin and as an integral part of the city's tourism industry. It was for this reason the Minister, when making decisions on the allocation of funding available to the heritage area under the national development plan, approved substantial funding for three separate but equally important projects at the gaol – the re-roofing of the east wing, the relocation of the restaurant and the provision of much needed extra storage space. The exact sequence of these projects has yet to be determined but I am confident work on the site will commence during 2002.

(Interruptions.)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Many of the issues raised are a matter for Dublin Corporation – they are planning rather than heritage issues.

Mr. G. Mitchell

I want the Department to buy the site.

Éamon Ó Cuív

Dublin Corporation is considering a planning application for the development of the old Rowntree-Mackintosh site across from the gaol. My Department is aware of the scheme proposed and in this context officials from the Department have been in contact with the developer to ensure that the heritage of Kilmainham Gaol and access to it are safeguarded.

Mr. G. Mitchell

Will the Minister meet a deputation?

Éamon Ó Cuív

The main focus of these contacts has been on parking for visitors to the gaol, with my officials seeking to reach agreement with the developer regarding possible parking on the Rowntree-Mackintosh site once any development is complete. My Department is awaiting a response from the developer on this matter.

Mr. G. Mitchell

Will the Minister meet a deputation?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Please, Deputy.

Éamon Ó Cuív

My Department has advised Dublin Corporation that the Rowntree-Mackintosh site is considered to have archaeological potential. As is normally the case in such instances, my Department has recommended to Dublin Corporation that if planning permission for the development is granted specific conditions relating to test excavations and archaeological monitoring should be attached. My officials have asked for these conditions to be attached specifically in the interest of protecting possible archaeological heritage which may be present on the site.

The Minister wants to make it clear, as she has done on a number of occasions when the matter was raised in the House by way of parliamentary question, that as the site is ear-marked for a major commercial development the question of its acquisition by the Department does not arise. I will convey the Deputy's request to the Minister who no doubt will be in contact with him directly in relation to the request for a meeting.

Mr. G. Mitchell

Thank you.