National Monuments: Motion (resumed)

The following motion was moved by Deputy Sandra McLellan on Tuesday, 22 May 2012:

That Dáil Éireann:

— looks forward to the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising and the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, a landmark in the history of the people of Ireland;

— recalls that in January 2007 the then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government placed a preservation order on Nos. 14-17 Moore Street, Dublin, under section 8 of the National Monuments Act 1930, on the grounds that the buildings are of national importance by reason of their historical significance as the final headquarters of the 1916 Provisional Government;

— acknowledges the hard work of the relatives of the signatories to the 1916 Proclamation of Independence in raising public awareness of the importance of these historic buildings and this historic area of our capital city, and in securing the designation of the national monument;

— views with serious concern the deterioration of the national monument which has languished in a vacant and neglected state for many years and the potential threat to the monument under a current planning application;

— resolves to ensure that the 1916 National Monument at Nos. 14-17 Moore Street is fully protected and preserved in its entirety as designated and that the surrounding buildings, streets and laneways are retained in such a manner that the potential to develop this area into a 1916 historic-cultural quarter can be fulfilled; and

— calls on the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to act without further delay to ensure the full preservation of the national monument and to develop a plan to transform the GPO-Moore Street area into an historic quarter and battlefield site so as to protect and preserve the 1916 National Monument and the associated streetscapes and laneways, thus greatly enhancing our national heritage and tourist potential in our capital city as we approach the centenary of the Easter Rising.

Debate resumed on amendment No. 1:

To delete all the words after "Dail Eireann" and substitute the following:

"---looks forward to the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising and the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, a landmark in the history of the people of Ireland;

---recalls that in January 2007 the then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government placed a preservation order on Nos. 14-17 Moore Street, Dublin, under section 8 of the National Monuments Act 1930, on the grounds that the buildings are of national importance by reason of their historical significance as the final headquarters of the 1916 Provisional Government;

---acknowledges the hard work of the relatives of the signatories to the 1916 Proclamation of Independence, and all other campaigners, in raising public awareness of the importance of these historic buildings and this historic area of our capital city, and in securing the designation of the national monument;

---recognising the historical importance of the national monument at Nos. 14-17 Moore Street, welcomes the Minister's assurance that the monument is fully protected under the National Monuments Acts and that any development affecting it requires his formal consent under those Acts; and

---notes that the Minister will take full account of the role of the monument in the 1916 Rising in relation to any such consent application."

- (Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan).

Deputy Finian McGrath

I propose to share time with Deputies Clare Daly and Mick Wallace. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to speak on this important motion on the preservation of Nos. 14-17 Moore Street, Dublin. I thank my colleagues for supporting the motion, which is a glorious opportunity to preserve something from our past, reflect on the aims and aspirations of the men and women of 1916 and use the monument to build and develop the future of this great island of ours. The future should be about equality, inclusion, social justice and an end to the mindset that sadly exists of keeping our people divided. We have much work to do and respecting diversity and difference must be at the heart of any new Ireland. This monument and street are part of that culture. The buildings are of national importance from a historical and cultural point of view but also as a project to raise public awareness and the huge potential of cultural tourism and jobs. The shared history, built on equality and independence, is part of who we are and we should never forget it.

It is also an opportunity to reflect on where we are now. As we look deep into our hearts, we can ask ourselves if the men and women of 1916 would be proud of what is going on in this country today. Sadly, the answer is "No". However, that does not mean we cannot change it and the motion can be used as a game changer to instil political and economic patriotism in our children and future generations on this island.

I am one of the people who do not accept that Ireland ends at Donegal or Dundalk. Sadly, too many in this House live with that mindset, believing that a divided Ireland is okay. We must examine this and we should be proud of who we are and unite to build up this great country.

I acknowledge the hard work of the relatives of the signatories to the 1916 Proclamation of independence in raising public awareness of the importance of these historic buildings and the historic area of our capital city and in securing the designation of the national monument. I view with serious concern the deterioration of the national monument, which has languished in a vacant and neglected state for many years and the potential threat to it under a current planning application.

I urge all Deputies to support this motion, which is about our heritage, history, commonsense, the potential for jobs and, above all, doing something noble and historic for the future of the people of this island.

Deputy Clare Daly

I am glad to support this important motion. The battle to preserve Nos. 14-17 Moore Street as a national monument and retention of the surrounding buildings, streets and laneways to be developed as an important historic and cultural quarter has been ongoing for years. We are only a couple of years away from the centenary of 1916 and it is appropriate for us to try to step in and sort out the situation. Many dedicated campaigners have been fighting on the issue for so long, which is a tribute to them but also an indictment of the system. I was pleased to participate in a tour of the area last year. Being there is a real eye-opener because the state of dereliction is appalling. No other country would allow such a potentially important cultural quarter to become rundown. Being there, one gets a sense of history and of our participation in the monumental events that took place almost 100 years ago. The entire quarter has important historical and cultural buildings. This includes Nos. 32 and 33 Henry Street, which are due to be demolished. The decision is before An Bord Pleanála, which must take into account the fact that we only get one chance at it. If this Parliament cannot sort it out, it does not say much for our abilities. It is scandalous, and has happened far too often, that national monuments have been allowed to deteriorate. It is timely that we discuss it this week, the week in which James Connolly, one of the key participants in 1916, founded the Labour Party.

I support the motion not as a nationalist but as an internationalist. I am conscious of the fact that what happened in 1916 was important. When Connolly talked about raising the flag over the GPO, he said it would not be enough if we were in hock to landlords and bankers. That is very relevant today as we look at a treaty in which our independence and control over these issues is up for debate.

Deputy Mick Wallace

I am also in favour of the scheme to work this area into a cultural quarter but many issues surround it. The only part that is preserved is Nos. 14-17 Moore Street and more must be done. The site has full planning permission with some conditions. The developer in question is in NAMA, which gives the State more power than usual. Aside from the huge influence of NAMA, the State has the option of a compulsory purchase order. In any situation where the common good outweighs private property rights, the State has the right to intervene. Many of the buildings on the street were built after 1916 but the whole street should be preserved as a cultural quarter, with the buildings rebuilt as they were before the Rising. It would be money well spent. A development, in a modified format, should go in tandem with it. The scale of the development is too big for today's economic conditions and was probably over the top at the time. There is room for developing the cultural centre in a proper manner. A modified development could also go ahead and the two could work well together.

In any city in Europe, one sees attempts to restore historical parts of the city. I have Turin in mind, where work has been done to restore old buildings in the old part of Turin. New shops, apartments, residential units, bars and restaurants have been built around the old buildings in a controlled and measured way. Ireland allowed O'Connell Street to go downhill due to a lack of planning and regulation. O'Connell Street leaves much to be desired as one of the most prominent streets in the city but we could develop this heritage area and the development in the proper manner.

I am a great believer in the value of history. History teaches us an awful lot and is the story of how we got to where we are today, why we act as we do and why we think like we do. Looking at politics and history over the past 100 years, people in the decision-making process, especially politicians, failed to learn the lessons of history. In Afghanistan, the Russians were mad to go in and spent ten years there. It was hard to credit that the Americans and British followed them in there but they have been in there for ten years now. One group was as bad as the other and each group has made as little progress as the other.

If this quarter was set up, it would provide greater awareness of history for many people in the country. There will also be a cultural tourism aspect to this. I would like to think the commercial and preservation aspects could go together. For those Members interested in checking it out I recommend the Italian Quarter along the quay which has worked well. The place was packed today in the sunshine and it has a lovely atmosphere. Preservation and commerce can go together. We preserved the old facade and we worked in co-operation with Dublin City Council.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I call the Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello, who is sharing time with Deputies Jerry Buttimer, Derek Nolan, Paschal Donohoe, Joe O'Reilly and Ciarán Lynch.

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Joe Costello)

I welcome the opportunity to discuss this Private Members' motion. I compliment the various signatories to the motion as it gives us the opportunity to debate and find the best way to celebrate the centenary of the 1916 Rising. We all want to ensure it is commemorated in a respectful and dignified fashion and that the two monuments encompassed by this motion, in particular the national monument in Moore Street, can be dealt with. I commend all those who have campaigned on this issue over the years to ensure this monument and the GPO, the focal points of the 1916 Rising, would be properly preserved and play their part in the commemoration of 1916 in the future in the best form possible. I compliment the relatives of the signatories of the Proclamation of Independence who have been ably led over a number of years by James Connolly Heron, a descendant of James Connolly.

The campaign began in 2002 when the National Graves Association informed me that the commemorative plaque which had been erected in 1966 on No. 16, Moore Street, had been removed. I tabled a motion in Dublin City Council that No. 16 Moore Street should be deemed a preserved structure. The plaque had been removed by a member of a consortium involved in the development and which had certain property rights on a number of houses on Moore Street. Under pressure from Dublin City Council, the plaque was restored but no apology was received from the person who deliberately removed it and had prevented the building from being deemed a preserved structure.

A public meeting was held in the Mansion House hosted by the then Lord Mayor, Dermot Lacey. I refer to a motion agreed by Dublin City Council:

Considering the historical importance of No. 16 Moore Street which was the building where the last meeting of the Provisional Government of the Irish Republic Parliament on Easter Monday 1916 was held, with James Connolly, Pádraig Pearse, Willie Pearse, Seán MacDiarmada, Joseph Mary Plunkett and Thomas Clarke attending, and where the decision was taken to surrender on Saturday 29 April. Dublin City Council agrees that No. 16 Moore Street be retained and incorporated into the planned regeneration of the immediate area and further agrees that No. 16 Moore Street become a repository of artefacts and documents relating to the historic events of 1916 and be developed as a public information and education centre.

This motion was passed unanimously by Dublin City Council on 7 May 2003.

Dublin City Council declared the house a protected structure and commissioned the Shaffrey report which is well worth reading and which recommended that Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street should be included in the preservation order. The then Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and the Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, declared Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street a national monument.

This has been a developing process and there is scope for further development. Dublin City Council gained possession from the Carlton consortium by a compulsory purchase order as a result of terrible behaviour by the private sector. It is now in the possession of the O'Reilly consortium.

The private ownership and the An Bord Pleanála permission pose certain problems. The State has responsibility for national monuments and the Minister and the National Museum of Ireland have specific roles. There is also an all-party consultative group. The relatives of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation are anxious to expand the parameters of the national monument Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street and to integrate the two national monuments into a natural geographical area and to ensure that the character of the development is appropriate.

In his contribution to the debate last night, it would seem the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, committed himself to engage in full consultation. He stated his primary concern would be to arrive at a determination that would best serve the long-term preservation and protection of the national monument and the commemoration and remembrance of the epic period and personalities associated with it. There is a window of opportunity for all-party discussions with the Minister. If this motion is put to the House tonight and the Minister's amendment is not accepted, then we will have divided the House and it will be very difficult to move forward in any constructive manner. I ask the proposers of the motion to hold off so that we might agree a certain period of time. I have not spoken to the Minister but he indicated in his remarks last night that he was open to consultation on the matter in an attempt to reach a satisfactory compromise because otherwise it will be a case that the House is divided in its opinion and that would be unfortunate.

Deputy Jerry Buttimer

This is a very important motion. I pay tribute to the families and those who are campaigning because this is not about partisan politics but rather it is about our people, our heroes, our patriots, people we revere and will always do so. The Minister of State, Deputy Costello, is correct that the Minister's contribution last night was very conciliatory and positive. I echo the comments of the Minister of State that the House should not divide but rather that the Minister's amendment should be accepted to allow a cross-party consultative approach to bring about agreement on how to commemorate and celebrate 1916. This is about our people.

Last week in Arbour Hill, the Bishop of Ferns in a very provocative and challenging homily, set out the significance of 1916 for a new generation of Irish people who perhaps did not understand our history. He spoke about how 1916 allowed us to take a new path. He quoted Garret FitzGerald who had said about the 1916 Rising, "It was planned by men who feared that without a dramatic gesture of this kind, the sense of national identity that has survived all the hazards of the centuries would flicker out ignominiously in their lifetime, leaving Ireland psychologically as well as legally an integral part of the United Kingdom." This is the challenge we face, to commemorate and to reach out. I hope the House will not divide on this motion. All of us as parliamentarians should be at that mass in Arbour Hill every year because it commemorates and celebrates in a formal way our patriots and our heroes.

I was in Gettysburg last summer and I toured the battlefields of the American Civil War. It was a mind-blowing day and experience. We must not allow anything to happen to this ground which is one of our sacred places. It is a disgrace. Dublin City Council and An Bord Pleanála have a lot to answer for. We should never forget our past and should not have got into this position. If we are to take a consensus approach to commemorating the 1916 centenary in four years time, we must do so devoid of party politics. We are all republicans and want to see our country united one day. We all believe in the aspirations of equality in the Proclamation, which is why this motion is important. How we plan to commemorate the centenary is also important. We are all required, as citizens, to be participants. As the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, correctly said last night, the Rising was a seminal event and a fundamental turning point in our history.

I hope we are discussing this matter in a non-adversarial manner because we all want to see the same result at the end of the day. Before the end of this debate, we should reflect on how we can achieve what is best for the men and women of 1916.

Deputy Derek Nolan

I am happy to speak on this motion, whose signatories meant well. It is unfortunate, however, that we are getting two separate motions - one from the proposers and a Government amendment. It is clear that the motion cannot be an agreed one because constitutional rights to property, planning and legislative issues are also involved in this matter. It would, however, be a sensible and conciliatory approach to accept the Minister's offer, which he made yesterday in good faith, to have discussions to facilitate a solution. If we had a unifying motion, rather than a divisive one, it would take the nasty sting out of this question.

The buildings in Moore Street are in an appalling state at the moment. It does not seem right that a country which had so much wealth for so long would disregard a site of such national historic importance and allow it to become run down. It shows that while there may have been wealth here over the past 15 years, values were not upheld.

Up to 2023, we will be marking a decade of centenaries, including the Civil War. There will be a real opportunity for us to discuss our history and Irish politics generally. Ireland has a unique and interesting history, which is detailed, layered and multifaceted, and in which various strands of society collided against one another over a long period.

Based on my own experience of the Irish education system, we have always been quick to take one aspect of a historical moment, while not defining it in any concrete or realistic way. The 1916 Rising was not a popular revolt, it was decried by the average person in the street. We forget that when we teach history, but that tells us something about ourselves and our country. We must be honest about it and not pretend that everyone marched in the streets in 1916. The general public castigated those who participated in the Rising. It was only afterwards, when the executions took place, that public opinion started to turn. Similarly, 1916 cannot be viewed in isolation from the First World War, the British parliamentary system, the home rule movement and the collapse of Parnell's reputation in the years before.

The Moore Street buildings and the 1916 celebrations generally offer us a wonderful opportunity to have a detailed and educational look at our history. Rather than taking a tokenistic or glossy view of one interesting example, we should examine the period in detail and learn about the real history of this island.

When we are celebrating 1916, we should not forget places outside Dublin which also participated in the Rising. Speaking as a representative of Galway West, I would refer specifically to the uprising that took place in Oranmore where the barracks was attacked. The fighting subsequently continued in Athenry, where the great Liam Mellows was involved. Let us therefore have a broad, rich and detailed understanding of our past. We should try to learn from the people of 1916, rather than celebrating some fantasy notion. It would be better to dedicate such an effort to the memories of those who died, rather than seeking some cheap and easy political answer.

Deputy Paschal Donohoe

When I was preparing for this debate, I could not help but think of the words of Diarmaid Ferriter which he wrote at the time of the Mahon tribunal report. In an article in The Irish Times he wrote:

As we edge towards the centenary of the events that comprised the revolution of the early 20th century, we face a stark conclusion. This is a State bereft of meaningful sovereignty due to its bankruptcy, and a State whose governing culture has been exposed as rotten. We may have little to cheer about in 2016.

Regardless of whether one agrees with the entirety of Professor Ferriter's conclusion, one point is very clear. That is, that as we approach 2016, which will mark the centenary of the Rising, it will offer a stark counterpoint to where we stand at the moment. If we examine the views of the people of 1916 and what they were trying to achieve, including the ideas they had of the kind of republic they wanted to create, there can be little doubt that the crisis we are facing would be a huge disappointment to them and not reflective of the sacrifices they made.

As regards Professor Ferriter's last point, there are forces far beyond our decision on the Moore Street site that will determine whether or not we will be cheering in 2016. The decisions we will make about the site, however, might provide some cheer to people on the centenary regardless of where we stand on other issues.

I echo the comments by the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, Deputy Buttimer and others. I acknowledge the huge work of the relatives and descendants of the 1916 leaders in keeping the flame of their memory alive. They have kept that flame flickering though very difficult times. I also want to acknowledge the intent of opposition Members in tabling this motion. It would be appropriate if we could find some way of avoiding dividing the House.

I believe the nature of history is to contest it. If we do not have different views on what happened and why, and are not able to discuss them, it is not like history at all - it something that is dead and in our past. The greatest use we can make of history is to debate it and have different views. In that regard, how we discuss our history is inherently a political act, which is both welcome and important. It is not necessarily a party political act, however.

Everybody in the House can trace back what they are doing now to what happened in 1916. In the centenary period we are entering, we should do all we can to ensure that we come together in a political way but not a party political way. We are capable of doing that in so many ways as we commemorate parts of our history. I saw Deputy Adams and other members of his party at Arbour Hill last week.

I hope the points that the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, have made will be taken on board. In his concluding speech last night, the Minister said he wanted to best serve the long-term preservation and protection of the national monument itself and the commemoration and remembrance of the epic period. It was the period that created our nation that led to this State.

As the debate continues, I hope those proposing this motion will decide not to divide the House and instead take up the Minister's offer so we can reflect on it in a proper political fashion.

Deputy Joe O’Reilly

It merits repeating that there is no question but that 1916 was a seminal event in our history. There is no question that the participants, in the main, were driven by the highest ideals and by heroism and both merit acknowledgement in a debate such as this. There is also no doubt that a number of them had a very romantic view of life but even at that they were driven by the highest ideals and were very unself-absorbed, sincere good people. That merits repeating.

As we approach the decade of commemorations, it is important to acknowledge the heroism and idealism of those people who led and participated in the Rising but it is also important to acknowledge that they are part of our collective DNA - our memory and admiration of them - and our individual DNA to the extent that people still have a great regard for what they did, and for their relatives and their desire to perpetuate correctly their memory and commemoration.

It is important that the entire period of commemoration, including the centenary of 1916, is done in an mutually respectful and inclusive way, that it is done alongside the other commemorations and that implicit in it is a recognition of the heroism and idealism of people who did not go in particular one way or another. There were some very idealistic people who chose to go to fight in the First World War and there were very idealistic people in 1916. We must recognise all this as a collective and have mutual respect in the way we celebrate it.

There is merit in the view emerging in the debate and that was proposed by the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, last night that we try to proceed by consensus on this in the national Parliament. I appeal to everyone here to do that. It might be the most fitting tribute we could give to the idealism, romanticism, heroism and everything that went with the heroes of 1916 that we would proceed collectively with regard to the commemoration and the buildings.

There is no doubt that Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street are hugely important monuments in that the last council of war was held there and those buildings are hugely central. With regard to all the planning material that has gone through An Bord Pleanála and all the plans that are on the Minister's table for consent, there is no provision within them to take away in any way from the integrity of the buildings. It is not a question that only their facades would be preserved or that they would be demolished or disfigured in any way other than what must be done structurally for health and safety reasons. The integrity of the buildings will be preserved as a monument and it is right that should be the case.

The difficulty with the proposition that we make the entire street a commemorative area is that there are issues around private property, timing and funding. It would be better if we were to take the proposal for the development of Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street and put a very good commemorative centre in place there. It is implicit in the planning permission for the other developments that they take cognisance of that and in no way disturb the historical element of the street. It is better that we proceed on that basis. I think that is the view of the original group of relatives.

I congratulate the people who brought forward this important motion. The events of 1916 were hugely significant. They changed the face of Ireland and had enormous implications for our history, for where we are today and for the very building we are in. I appeal to the proposers of the motion, who put it forward in good faith, to consider the Minister's suggestion of working collectively and in a collegial way to arrive at an eventual outcome that will honour the participants, respect the relatives who are in the Visitors Gallery and the people who admirably fought for many years to preserve the buildings.

Deputy Ciarán Lynch

I commend Deputy McLellan on bringing this timely motion before the House. This is the Deputy's first time to bring forward a motion and I say well done to her on her choice of subject.

I commend the family members associated with the motion. I had the opportunity to invite them to attend a meeting of a joint committee to discuss this issue and in my input to this debate I would like to reflect some of the comments they made on that occasion.

I have known the names of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation off by heart since I was a child. That is not because I was a good history student as a child but because I come from the parish of Ballyphelane where the name of every road is called after the signatories of the Proclamation. There is Pearse Road, Clarkes Road, Ceannt Road and, fittingly, I come from Connolly Road. That shows that when we mark significant events in our history in our local neighbourhoods, they have an impact in our formative years.

It is in the context of the parish of Ballyphelane and the names of the signatories to the Proclamation assigned to the roads there that I would like to give some context to the motion. The Sinn Féin motion and the Government's counter amendment to it are very much saying the same thing. They refer to the preservation of Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street. When republican issues are discussed, the first thing on the agenda is a split but, unusually, there might not necessarily be a split on this issue this evening. I urge both sides of the House to come together on this.

The Sinn Féin motion is limited in its scope. I would like 1916 to be commemorated nationally and far broader than in the context of Nos. 14 to 17, Moore Street. That is the way the commemoration of it should be developed. The events of 1916 had ramifications for the whole of this island. Deputy Nolan mentioned Galway and my great grandfather was involved with Roger Casement in Kerry. He was a Kerry man. That is a hard thing for a Cork man to admit but he has a strong Republican tradition in Rock Street in Tralee.

Dublin City Council has failed time and again to do something with Moore Street. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of 1916 something could have been done, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary there was an opportunity to do something and on the 90th anniversary, only a few years ago, when the dogs were literally eating the cheques in this country and there was plenty of money to do something nothing was done. What we have seen, not only in Moore Street but in all the area north of O'Connell Bridge, has been the development of a type of honky-tonk, pop-up retail concept that has not been in the interests of the capital city. There is usually some ambiance or nuance to a capital city that captures people's minds. I am proud to say that if one comes to Cork City, we have the English Market and other events - Dublin does not have that type of concept.

It is on that basis I make a few points that I believe reflect the position of some of the descendents. The planning proposal being considered is flawed and I do not believe it will come to pass. The retail model presented in the planning application is something of the past. We should consider putting in place a different type of retail model in the environs of Moore Street, one with rent controls that would allow indigenous companies and manufacturers to sell their wares in the greater Moore Street area. It would give Dublin City centre a flavour and ambiance that the citizens would like to have in their capital city. By extending the commemorative process to the battlefield site and other areas, we would have a different type of 1916 celebration that would not be confined to only four buildings.

What I propose, if all-party agreement could be reached on this, is that we not only consider Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street in this context but that we look at how we want to see Dublin city centre commemorate 1916 not only in terms of the past but in terms of our vision for its future. Having big supermarkets in the middle of the our capital city is not our vision for the development of the city, rather we want to have a more sustainable business and retail model. I saw plans for a proposal to imprint on the street a bronze copy of the proclamation the size of the Chamber so local and Irish citizens and foreign visitors walking up and down could see and feel the proclamation itself. Commemorating 1916 is not only about now, but also about the future and many positive opportunities can be achieved through cross-party co-operation, because 1916 is part of all our heritage and does not belong to an individual party or Member of the House. This is also an opportunity to revitalise this part of Dublin, which should have been done long ago.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I call on Deputy Boyd Barrett who is sharing time with Deputies Catherine Murphy and Seamus Healy.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

It is not possible to overstate the importance of commemorating the site of the 1916 Rising. It is even more important because of the terrible situation in which the country now finds itself. In many ways it is as significant an historic crossroads as the one at which we found ourselves in 1916. It is tremendously important that we honour and pay proper tribute to the heroes of 1916, their political determination, vision, bravery and heroism and properly commemorate this memory and protect the site of the last stand of the 1916 rebels precisely to remind us of what political vision, bravery and determination look like at a time when we desperately need them.

The 1916 Easter Rising was the first strike in the foundation of the State. It was also the first strike in the international movement against the horrors of the First World War. It was the beginning of the end of the British Empire, and an inspiration to peoples and movements throughout the world who struck out against colonisation and empire. It is a monument of international significance. Even at the time, the 1916 rebellion echoed across the European continent and beyond. It is very important that we do justice to this memory.

I do not understand why, if the Government states it agrees with the general spirit of the motion, it has proposed an amendment. All the motion proposes is that nothing should be done which would compromise this historic site; that any development which takes place in the area should ensure the proper preservation of the historic site; and it should be developed as an historic quarter. There is no reason for the Government to table an amendment. The details can be debated and discussed with the families and other stakeholders but there does not seem to be anything objectionable in the original motion.

Even in terms of modern economic concerns, it is quite telling how we deal with these matters when we speak about the development of our city centre. Why do people come here? What is it that makes the country attractive to people? Is it building shopping centres and monuments to consumerism or is it precisely our history and our architectural, historical and political heritage? Commemorating this history and heritage properly, sensitively and respectfully will not only pay proper tribute to the rebels of 1916, but it will make Dublin a more attractive place. It will be a boost to tourism at every level. It will be a win for the city and the country. Desecrating this historic site would have the opposite effect.

I appeal to the Government to support the motion. There is no need to amend it. The details can be worked out with all the stakeholders as we move along.

Deputy Catherine Murphy

I thank the proposers of the motion for tabling it. I have been to Moore Street and I did the tour. If one was not familiar with it and went there, one would be appalled that a national monument is in such a deplorable state, and we should all feel a sense of shame about this. The buildings are listed for protection not because of their architectural merit, but because of their significant historical merit. This historical merit is not only with regard to the buildings and their facades, but also their curtilage. It is about the context of the site and it is important we recognise this and preserve it.

The madness of the Celtic tiger era is marked out by the fact that everything was measured in monetary terms. People did not buy homes; they bought property and we had trophy sites. It is very hard to find positives in the crash, but at least it has given us the opportunity to stand back and look at what is important and see where failures occurred since the 1916 Rising and the foundation of the State. If we are to rebuild society in the country we must draw from the idealism of the past. The people of the past seemed to be able to aspire to more than we can in this difficult but more wealthy time.

I am very lucky to be on the commemorative committee. The next ten years will be wonderful with a very inclusive and broad range of events to be commemorated. It is very important that we leave markers from the defining time in which we live, and some of these markers must be physical, such as buildings and places, and they must draw from the past. It is very important that we do this. Very few intact sites remain from the era we are discussing. Bolands Mill was not really one of the buildings involved but it is seen as part of the Rising and its condition is deplorable. The wall of the Mendicity Institution opposite the Four Courts is covered in graffiti. One wonders where is our civic morality and pride and we should aspire to re-engage with them.

Just as 1916 was a defining era, so is this one. We have had failures over the past 100 years and this is an opportunity for us to look forward and have a different set of values and learn from the past. Places and buildings will be important in this as well as heritage, history and idealism.

Deputy Seamus Healy

I welcome the motion and thank Sinn Féin for tabling it and providing us with this opportunity to discuss it. I also compliment the relatives without whose determination and foresight the motion would not be on the clár. I support the motion 100%. We are speaking about the national monument at Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street which is of major significant historic importance. The idea of developing an historic quarter and battlefield site is most appropriate for the area and most appropriate as a way to commemorate and celebrate the 1916 Rising. It is also appropriate this on the clár in the run-up to the centenary of the Rising, and at a time when our independence and sovereignty are in danger, if they are not already gone, in the run-up to the fiscal treaty referendum.

The commemoration of the 1916 Rising is not only a commemoration of bricks and mortar, as important as this may be. We need to celebrate the ideas, beliefs and policies of the 1916 leaders. The Proclamation was a blueprint for the future Republic as they saw it. We need to ask ourselves how we measure up to that Proclamation. The honest answer must be that we have a long way to go. These leaders wanted to cherish "all the children of the nation equally". What would they think of 100,000 children living in poverty in 2012? What would they think of reductions in child benefit? What would they think of the targeting of children with disabilities with the refusals for domiciliary care allowance doubled in the course of the Government's tenure in office? These are the kinds of questions we need to ask ourselves in the run-up to the centenary of the 1916 Rising.

I fully support the motion and believe it would be an appropriate manner in which to commemorate the leaders of the 1916 Rising.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I call Deputy Colreavy, who is sharing time with Deputies Ellis, Mac Lochlainn, and Pearse Doherty.

Deputy Michael Colreavy

Almost 100 years ago, the city of Dublin and the entire island of Ireland were in a state of desperation. There was rampant unemployment, a massive rate of child mortality and swelling slums were rife. The only option for many was to be shipped off to the killing fields of Europe to spill their blood for their imperialist oppressor. Out of all this despair, blackness and destitution arrived the men and women of 1916. They offered the people an alternative vision. They declared that: "The Republic guarantees ... equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens, and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and of all its parts, cherishing all the children of the nation equally". The hope and vision they offered to Ireland to strike for her freedom is as true today as it was 100 years ago.

Ireland today is searching for hope in these turbulent economic times. Similar to the conditions in which the men and women of 1916 found themselves, we today are again at the whim of foreign rulers and foreign markets. There is no finer example of courage and determination than the example the men and women of 1916 set. For the past 100 years we have drawn inspiration from their heroism. As we are now in these difficult times, I am sure we will draw further inspiration from them into the future. That is one of the reasons it is essential that the buildings at 14-17 Moore Street are protected. These are more than just bricks and mortar; they are a symbol of why we exist as a country and as a people. The buildings on Moore Street make up a very important part of the story of us as a nation. From the small rooms on that terraced block emerged this Parliament. Every Deputy who speaks in this Chamber owes an allegiance to the history of Moore Street.

I believe that every Member of this House believes that these buildings are a national monument and a treasure of the State. Moore Street is also a site of educational wealth and all children in our schools should know the history of their country. There is far more educational value in these buildings being preserved as a national monument than any shopping centre could ever provide. Similarly this country is a major tourism destination with millions of visitors every year. The value of such an important historical site cannot be compared to a high-street brand that can be found in any other city in the Western world. Ireland's deep and rich history is one of the reasons so many tourists are attracted to come here every year. Shopping centres come and go but if these historic buildings are destroyed they will be gone forever.

We should remember with pride the men and women of 1916. I think of Leitrim's Seán Mac Diarmada, who fought and died so that we could sit in this Chamber today. Seán Mac Diarmada suffered from polio but struggled through his disability to play a leading role in the 1916 Easter Rising. He was a brave soldier and an example to future generations. Many people visit his beautifully preserved cottage in Corranmore, Kiltyclogher, which is part of our wonderful history. We must take it upon ourselves not to sully the name of Seán Mac Diarmada or any of the heroes of 1916 and hand over such an important landmark to become a shopping centre.

The Minister has said the Sinn Féin motion is too narrow in its vision but I respectfully suggest otherwise. Moore Street is a central and essential fulcrum for historical tourism in the island of Ireland. If we allow these buildings to be destroyed, that essential part of 1916 tourism will be lost and gone forever.

On my local radio station, Ocean FM, I pointed out that we had tabled this motion and it got a strong reaction most of which was very positive. One person criticised it by saying that I would be better off talking about local issues rather than talking about Moore Street in Dublin. With respect I would say that person was a parochial philistine and I hope there will not be too many philistines if it comes to a vote on the motion.

Deputy Dessie Ellis

The year 1916 was a milestone in our history and 2016 would be an ideal time to showcase not only a new cultural quarter but also the ideals and sacrifices of our ancestors in a meaningful way. The 1916 Rising encapsulates a very important part of my Irishness. This Irishness is not the superficial "wrap the green flag around me" nationalism that has so often been represented by the opportunists who have frequented this House. It is the pursuit of justice and freedom which was a beacon to the people of the world sending the message that no matter where or how downtrodden or outnumbered people are the base desire to say that they are free and equal will never be quenched. It sends the message that their struggle can strike a mighty blow, weakening the chains of imperialism and capitalism around the world for all people. That beacon was not forgotten. The spirit of the men and women of 1916 inspired the people of Vietnam, Russia and Cuba. It inspired black leaders in America and the beaten and brutalised of the Bogside in Derry and the ghettoes of Belfast - and it still inspires.

Every year thousands of people commemorate this event. They commemorate men and women who struck for freedom against the biggest empire on the earth, which cut down its enemies with great indecency and little thought. They were heroes who fought for a better Ireland against their own self-interest - a lesson well remembered today. In particular we must remember the role of the women of 1916 who fought alongside their male comrades as equals. This memory, while strong in many, is in danger. Many people would have a better chance of naming the starting 11 for Manchester United than the seven signatories. Worse still the ideals they held are being betrayed at every turn and the Republic for which they fought can often seem far from our grasp.

I have not given up, but I am lucky in having a very real link to these great people as a grandson of two veterans who fought that noble fight. I will never forget the stories that struck me as a child and remain with me. Young people today do not have this great resource. The last veterans have long since passed away. We must at least do this service for the heroes of Easter 1916 and not demolish all traces of their words, thoughts and deeds. I have toured the battle site with the wonderful people involved in the campaign to save Moore Street. I encourage anyone who has not done that to do so. I have seen their excellent plan for the 1916 quarter, which would be the pride of Dublin and Ireland. I am proud to come from Dublin, a city with a true revolutionary history and home to great men and women, such as Connolly, Pearse, Markievicz and many others. I would be proud to bring people from around the world to this city's centre to show them our history. At present such a place is sorely lacking. We must rectify this, the first step being to save Moore Street. The creation of a cultural quarter, with museums and workshops, would be a mecca for tourists and the people of this country to visit. Molaim an rún seo.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Occasionally I get an opportunity in Donegal to give a talk to American students. It is a brush stroke history of Ireland, and I always enjoy the part about the lead up to the 1916 Rising, its aftermath and what it meant for the Irish people. Juxtapose the slaughter in the Somme not long after the Rising in which Irish Unionists and Nationalists were slaughtered - more than 20,000 people were killed in one day, on 1 July 1916, and over 30,000 were injured in a foolish slaughter driven by king or kaiser - with Connolly's Irish Citizen Army and its famous banner, "We serve neither King nor Kaiser but Ireland." They were visionaries. It was a fusion of radicals, visionaries, cultural revivalists and feminists.

Consider the first words of the Proclamation: "Irishmen and Irishwomen". At a time when women did not even have a vote, that was a radical statement of intent. They were poets, visionaries, trade unionists, suffragettes, cultural revivalists and people who were trying to fight for all that is good. Read the Proclamation. There is no nation on earth that would not be proud of the words in it. There is no hint of sectarianism or hate. It is about unity, fairness, equality and decency. It is a platform not just for Irish humanity but for world humanity. Those leaders inspired people across the world. We know the British Empire was an unjust empire, but the world was an unjust place as could be seen in the World War taking place at that time. It was a disaster in which working class people were slaughtered in fields in their hundreds of thousands and millions.

Our heroes, however, were not acting for popularity. They were visionaries. As they were led away they were jeered, but in a few short years the Irish people would realise what a wonderful legacy they had been given and would endorse in the first Dáil the 1916 Proclamation in their programme for government. That is our inheritance, and it is a wonderful inheritance. In 2012, however, much of that inheritance has been squandered. We have an economic crisis because we abandoned the ideals which they represented and gave to us. Knowing all that we know now about the greed that caused this crisis, are we really going to allow these buildings to be torn asunder?

I, too, had the honour of walking the route of Henry Place, Moore Lane and Moore Street. The hair stood on the back of my neck at the thought of these amazing and unbelievably courageous people being evacuated from the GPO and being led eventually into Moore Street, where they surrendered. Their spirit was defeated and they probably thought their struggle was defeated. If they only knew what they gave birth to. It is a wonderful story to tell, not just to Irish people but also to visitors from throughout the world. People around the world have looked at our history, and anybody who has had the privilege of travelling across the world will recall seeing the glint in people's eyes when they have told them they are Irish. Despite all our economic problems and the damage to our reputation, the stories people around the world think of are those of the 1916 Rising and Bobby Sands. That is what inspires them and gives them hope in their own struggles.

Now, when we have a chance to set this nation and island back in the right direction after the mess caused by greed, let us grasp the opportunity to do all we can to seize those buildings and send a signal that we value our inheritance and those who gave birth to what we have today, and that we intend to complete their journey. That is the challenge for the Members of this House. Can all Members of the House, of all political colours and creeds, unite on this issue? Then, perhaps, we would deserve the legacy we have been given.

Deputy Pearse Doherty

Mar atá ráite ag cuid mhór dóibh siúd a labhair go dtí seo, ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh teaghlaigh na laochra móra a sheas an fód i 1916. Guím gach rath ar an bhfeachtas atá amach rompu agus romhainn uilig le cinntiú go mbeidh ionad cultúrtha agus ceathrú stairiúil tógtha ar an suíomh seo i Sráid Uí Mhórdha i mBaile Átha Cliath. Is deas an rud é go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo againn. A mhéid is eol dom, is é seo an chéad uair dúinn plé a dhéanamh ar na foirgnimh a bhaineann le Éirí Amach na Cásca agus an comóradh a bheidh againn amach anseo.

Many of us have spoken tonight about the bravery of the men and women who fought in 1916, and about their honour, passion and dignity as the final moments pressed on them. We know what the goals of those men and women were and how badly they have been let down, not just by our failure as a State to mark and commemorate places such as Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street but by what has been allowed to happen in our society. Rather than establish a nation built on the ideals of the Proclamation and the democratic programme, this State allowed the worst kind of cronyism and corruption to dominate politics and the economy for the last few decades. It is ironic that the man who would show such disregard for the historical significance of the buildings we are discussing is part of the Anglo Irish Bank golden circle and a developer who has been brought into the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA.

I do not wish to dwell on the reputation and history of this developer. We all know how the developers, as a group, influenced bad planning policy and how that contributed, along with the failed policies of the banks and the last Government, to bring this State to its knees. What matters is that even after all the sordid history, a developer still appears to be holding all the cards with regard to a piece of our history which is of monumental significance. Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street and its surroundings, the battlefield site, badly need to be restored, protected and respected. The area cannot be left as it is. It must be protected and there must be development. However, what type of development should it be? It is proposed that we build another shopping centre. Do we need another shopping centre in the middle of Dublin city? Have we learned nothing from the mistakes and lessons of the last number of years?

The abject failure to fulfil the vision of the men and women who fought for our freedom can be seen in the terrible state of Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street and its surroundings. However, it can also be seen in more than bricks and mortar. In the last two weeks two news stories struck a chord with me, and probably with many others. The first was the news that a seven year old child had collapsed in a school in Cork. The child was later diagnosed with severe malnutrition. The second news story was that, once again, the Government has approved salaries above the agreed limits for public servants in the President's offices. How starkly these two news reports contrast with the ideals, hopes and visions of the heroes of 1916. "Cherishing all the children of the nation equally" is a simple yet powerful commitment in the Proclamation that successive Governments have ignored and still ignore.

In 2012, children should not be collapsing from hunger. We know people are suffering; we hear about it every day. It is not a cliché to say that this is not what the men and women of 1916 died for. They did not fight and die so this State could make its people shoulder the burden of failing private banks, so we could watch yet another generation of our young people leave our shores or so the democratically elected representatives of the people could pay themselves handsome salaries while children go to school with nothing in their bellies. It is of paramount importance that 14-17 Moore Street and the battle site area are preserved, protected and acknowledged. Moreover, it should be done in a manner that retains the potential to develop the site as a 1916 historic and cultural quarter. However, that should only be the first step in honouring those who gave so much for what they believed in. They believed in a different type of Ireland. While a cultural and historic quarter must be built, the best tribute Members can give to the men and women of 1916 is to build the lasting legacy, namely, the type of united Ireland for which they fought and died.

I will conclude by noting the Minister has argued the motion tabled by Sinn Féin is similar to his amendment. The difference is the motion would prevent the Minister from encroaching on this historic monument and allowing a shopping mall. The Minister sat in this Chamber while rare snails halted major development in this country. It is not a rare snail under discussion this evening but the council of war's last location. Must one begin to scout around Moore Street to find a rare snail to give the Minister an excuse to preserve this monument? I ask him to do the right thing.

Deputy Joe Costello

There were ten Sinn Féin councillors on Dublin City Council when those planning applications were going through and there was not a peep out of a single one of them. Those decisions were not made by the Minister. There were made by Dublin City Council by way of planning applications.

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Dinny McGinley)

Tá lúcháir orm deis a bheith agam labhairt ar an ábhar an-thábhachtach seo. Cuirim fáilte roimh an díospóireacht a bhí againn anseo, aréir agus anocht, ar an séadchomhartha náisiúnta seo atá chomh tábhachtach sin do shaol an Stáit seo, agus mar a bunaíodh saol an Stáit. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a thabhairt do na Teachtaí go léir atá an-dáiríribh agus an méid a bhí le rá acu, ó gach taobh den Teach. Sílim gurb é an rud is sonraí a tháinig ón díospóireacht seo ná an tiomántas agus an dílseacht atá léirithe ag gach Ball den Teach seo do chuimhne 1916 agus do gach aon duine a ghlac páirt ins an gcoimhlint náisiúnta. Táimid uilig ar aon ghuth gur chóir go gcaomhnófaí agus go gcosnófaí i gceart an séadchomhartha náisiúnta ag 14-17 Sráid Uí Mhórdha agus go mba cheart go mbeadh cuimhneachán cuí agus oiriúnach ann in am do chomóradh an chéid in 2016, i gcuimhne ar na laochra uile a ghlac páirt sna himeachtaí ansin. Cuirim fáilte chomh maith roimh gaolta lucht sínithe an Fhorógra, atá ins an nGailearaí Poiblí agus a bhí ann aréir chun éisteacht leis an ndíospóireacht seo. As the Minister noted last night, there is little to separate the two sides in the debate. The Government amendment to the motion is, in part, necessary because of factual inaccuracies in the original wording. It referred to a current planning application whereas none actually exists. Although Sinn Féin was made aware of this last week, the misapprehension was compounded when Deputy Ó Caoláin last night referred to circumstances where planning permission could be refused because of the existence of a national monument. However, full planning permission was granted for the development of the site containing the national monument by An Bord Pleanála in 2010. That permission took full account of the existence of the national monument at 14-17 Moore Street. There is no new application for planning permission and nor is it apparent from where such an application might come at this stage.

It is important to understand that what is being examined at present is an application for consent for proposed works to a national monument under the National Monuments Acts. The impact of the motion as drafted would be potentially to prejudice the application for consent, which is before the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and on which a decision has yet to be made. This is a further reason the motion as presented, with much of which Members on this side of the House can agree, could not be supported this evening.

It also was clear from the references made to the national monument being torn down that there were similar misunderstandings about what is actually being proposed regarding the national monument site. As the Minister pointed out, the Moore Street monument is fully protected under the National Monuments Acts. No works can be undertaken without the Minister's consent under those Acts. The proposals that are the subject of the current consent application to the Minister are for a 1916 commemorative centre at 14-17 Moore Street and the pressing need for such a facility in this area was highlighted by all speakers last night.

I again strongly emphasise the point that the application for consent before the Minister does not include any proposal to demolish the national monument and nor does it envisage only the facades of the buildings being kept. The bulk of the internal and external structures of 14-17 Moore Street would be retained and each of the buildings would be part of the proposed commemorative centre, with No. 16, the location of the final council of war, serving as the focal point. It is this and only this proposal, namely, the provision of the commemorative centre at the national monument at 14-17 Moore Street that now is before the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, for decision.

Ba mhaith liom, i bpáirt le gach aon duine eile a labhair, mo bhuíochas a chur in iúl do ghaolta lucht sínithe Fhorógra na Poblachta. Tá ár mbuíochas tuillte acu as an méid a rinne siad, i bpáirt le feachtasóirí eile, chun a chinntiú gur mhair an séadchomhartha náisiúnta seo, cé go raibh roinnt mhaith bagairtí air ó am go chéile i stair an Stáit. Is de bharr a gcuid gníomhartha siúd go bhfuil an deis ann anois comóradh an chéid ar na himeachtaí a tharla i Sráid Uí Mhórdha a cheiliúradh sna foirgnimh chéanna inar tharla na himeachtaí suntasacha sin. Sílim go n-aontaíonn muid ar fad leis an bhfís go mbeadh séadchomhartha náisiúnta Shráid Uí Mhórdha caomhnaithe agus curtha i láthair go cuí, mar lárionad do chomóradh an chéid.

Among those to be remembered is Major General Joe Sweeney from Burtonport, then a Lieutenant in E Company of the 4th Battalion, who was at Liberty Hall before making his way to the GPO. He fought on the roof and inside the GPO all week. On Saturday, he helped to carry James Connolly on a stretcher down through the houses to his makeshift hospital bed in No. 16 Moore Street. The Major General's family have been in contact with me regarding invitations to the Arbour Hill commemoration. They are entitled to such invitations and should attend this commemoration. This is an issue I have raised with the Minister for Defence, Deputy Shatter, who has responsibility for that commemoration.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Tá an t-am istigh a Aire.

Deputy Dinny McGinley

Bhí cupla rud eile le rá agam ach tuigimid uilig chomh tábhachtach agus atá an séadchomhartha seo. Is páirt dár stair agus dár muintir í. Nuair a bheidh an t-Aire ag déanamh aon chinneadh, tá mé cinnte go ndéanfaidh sé an cinneadh ceart ar mhaithe leis na daoine a thug a saol don tír agus don phoblacht seo agus don áras seo ina bhfuilimid anocht.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

I am pleased to speak on this motion and it is gratifying to hear the leaders of the 1916 Rising lauded in this Chamber. Their bravery, vision and unquenchable desire for freedom should be fully acknowledged by all present. They took the fight to the imperial master. They had a vision for a republic set out in the Proclamation read at the GPO in Easter week. They fought for a free, united and pluralist republic and undoubtedly, the events of Easter week 1916 were seminal in Irish history. The Republic was proclaimed but sadly, the Republic has yet to be realised. However, it is worth stating during this debate that the vision of the women and men of 1916 lives on and, to coin a phrase, "They haven't gone away, you know".

There appears to be some misunderstanding on the Government Benches in respect of this motion. There appears to be an assumption that a party, presumably Sinn Féin, seeks to claim ownership of this episode in our history and of the vision for the Republic. That clearly is not the case. Had the Government Members read our motion correctly, they would have seen this motion is supported not just by Sinn Féin but also by Fianna Fáil and a host of Independent Deputies.

Deputy Finian McGrath

Hear, hear.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

Consequently, it represents a consensus of sorts.

It is both telling and negative that Members are even having this debate in the Chamber this evening. I cannot imagine that in any other country or European democracy there would even be a debate around the necessity to preserve the national monument and to do so in the most fulsome of ways. Rather that limiting preservation to a number of houses on a terrace we should be preserving the entire terrace and looking to preserving the entire battlefield, including the laneways, which is the setting in which the heroic deeds of 1916 were played out.

That the proposal that has gained planning permission is for a shopping mall in an area that should be a national monument is damning. My colleagues have articulated the many reasons this monument must be developed and the gains it would represent in terms of tourism and a proper acknowledgement not alone of our history but of the real political relevance in the here and now of the leaders of 1916.

I represent the constituency in which Moore Street is located. Anybody who has been down that street knows that the entirety of it has been allowed go to rack and ruin.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy has one minute remaining.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

The terrace which the Government, and previous Governments, said is a national monument is derelict. That too is damning. The Minister said that there is little to separate the two sides in this debate. It strikes me that there is a gulf between us. The Government has set it compass to do the very minimum while those of us who have signed this motion want it to step up to the plate and do the right thing.

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Hear, hear.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

We want, not alone Nos. 14-17 Moore Street preserved and developed but the entire terrace preserved and developed. We then want that collectively we use our imaginations, ingenuity and foresight to develop fully the battle site up to and including the GPO and all the lanes I mentioned earlier. It is fair to say that no individual political party can claim the legacy of 1916 for itself but we can fairly say that it is the responsibility of every party and elected Member of this House to ensure tha memory is honoured and that the national monument is truly one which honours the memory of those great heroic women and men.

Deputy Gerry Adams

Tá mé sásta go bfhuil an deis seo faighte againn chun díospóireacht a bheith againn ar an ábhar seo. Tá mé sásta fosta go bhfuil na gaolta anseo linn anocht chun éisteacht leis na tuairimí éagsúla.

William Butler Yeats' poem, September 1913, applies perfectly to the survival of the Moore Street national monument and the clash between two starkly different cultures. On the one hand there is a culture of naked consumerism, which is exemplified by one developer's ambition to create yet another cathedral to the God of profit, another mall in a city of malls. Yeats summed up that mindset:

What need you, being come to sense,But fumble in a greasy tillAnd add the halfpence to the penceAnd prayer to shivering prayer, untilYou have dried the marrow from the bone?

The other side of this clash of cultures is located on the GPO battlefield site. This sorry saga, even the need for this debate, is a metaphor for our times. The Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, described the lanes from Tom Clarke's shop on Parnell Street to the GPO, Henry Street where the Proclamation was signed, Moore Lane and Moore Street where the GPO garrison retreated to the spot where the O'Rahilly died, to the Rotunda where the garrison was held by the British and where the volunteers were founded three years earlier, as the lanes of history, na lanaí stairiúla. These are all places intimately connected to the Rising and to the men and women who participated in it. These modest buildings in the back lanes provide a tangible link with the great idea at the core of the Rising, namely, that we could be free and equal.

Busts of the signatories look down on us from the floor above. Five of those signatories spent their last hours of freedom in Moore Street before being taken from there to their deaths. We know their names and should know their strengths of character. Yeats did. They were of a different kind, the names that stilled out childish play. It is a great honour to this Oireachtas that the relatives of these leaders are with us this evening. Cuirim fáilte mór rompu uilig. Moore Street and its environs are at the heart and soul of the 1916 Rising. If consumerism and the rush to profit have their way the buildings and lanes around Moore Street will be obliterated.

The Minister is being asked to grant his consent for a change to this national monument. He set out his position in this regard last night and highlighted the difficulties he faces in terms of planning permission already granted. He rightly decried the fact that the surrounding lanes were not in 2007 designated as part of the national monument. It is almost as if he is confronted by a dilemma. There is no dilemma. There is only one position for a Minister and the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, knows this. There are no circumstances or justification for giving the go-ahead to a development that will demolish any part of a national monument, including buildings within its protected boundary, in the commercial interest of a private property developer. I spoke privately with the Minister on this issue. There is a moral obligation on him and the Government to develop this area as a historic revolutionary quarter. There can be no "if", "buts" or qualifications in this regard. The impact of the Minister giving his consent - other speakers either do not understand this or do not want to understand it - to the construction of this mall would be the destruction of all the outbuildings and yards to the rear of the national monument buildings. The buildings on each side of the four monument buildings would be demolished and the lanes would disappear. Where the O'Rahilly was killed would be under a car park. Thereafter the project for a battlefield site would have to be abandoned. That would be the Minister's legacy, one which I know he does not want.

This is where Pearse, Clarke, MacDiarmada, Plunkett and the wounded Connolly met as leaders for the last time. These are the lanes where Michael Collins and others courageously fought a superior British force. Moore Street and the lanes of history are connected to the six days of fighting and the last hours of the 1916 leaders and the Rising. For most of this to disappear under a mall would be unforgivable. The Government can take action to preserve this historic site and to develop the area as a fitting tribute. Luke Kelly put it well when he said:

To whom do we owe our allegiance today

To those brave men who fought and died that Róisín live again with pride?

.....

Or the faceless men who for Mark and Dollar,

Betray her to the highest bidder,

To whom we do owe our allegiance today?

Can anyone imagine the demolition of Robben Island Prison where political prisoners resisted the Aparthied regime or of Independence Hall in Philadelphia where the Declaration of Independence and United State Constitution were debated and adopted? Other states and people take pride in their history. Did the Americans demolish Paul Revere's house or the Alamo to build a shopping mall? Moore Street and its surrounding lanes are our Alamo. This Government cannot allow it to be destroyed so that another shopping mall can be built. The Government must not-----

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

It is a pity Sinn Féin councillors did not take that attitude when they were getting planning permission for-----

Deputy Gerry Adams

Gabh mo leithscéal. Tá mé ag cainnt.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Tá trí nóiméad fághta.

Deputy Gerry Adams

Deputy Gerry Adams

The Minister knows there is incredible tourism potential associated with 1916 and the Tans war. Many people who come to the city, from across the island and particularly from across the world, come for the revolution, the failed revolution. The Rising of 1916 is the reason they come, for example, to Kilmainham Gaol. There is potential to develop other sites across Ireland, for example, an interpretive centre at Pearse's cottage in Rosmuc or at Connolly's home on the Falls Road in west Belfast. There is an undoubted massive tourism and educational potential in the GPO battlefield site and an opportunity to revive Dublin city centre either with this site on its own or combined with a 1916 trail which could include Arbour Hill and Glasnevin cemeteries, Collins Barracks Museum, Kilmainham Gaol, other battlefield sites throughout the city and a dedicated 1916 museum.

This is both an issue of civic responsibility and an issue of national pride. James Connolly Heron has described the Oireachtas as the custodian of the national monument at Moore Street. It is our responsibility to do what we can to protect and preserve the battlefield site at Moore Street.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Thank you.

Deputy Gerry Adams

For many years, the relatives of the 1916 leaders have campaigned for the protection of this area. Their vision cannot be allowed to lie with O'Leary in the grave. I listened to what other Deputies have said. The majority of citizens in this State and throughout the 32 Counties want to preserve and secure this historic site. Fifty Deputies have signed this motion and the vast majority of speakers have spoken positively. I resent the intervention by two Ministers when I was trying to outline my position but I agree fully with everybody who stated we should go forward in a unified way. I will do all I can to assist the Minister and work with him. I do not blame him for anything. I wish to work and consult and be part of whatever he is doing and I commit Sinn Féin to work with the Minister in this regard. I appeal to Deputies-----

The Dáil divided: Tá, 78; Níl, 38.

Tá

Bannon, James.
Barry, Tom.
Breen, Pat.
Butler, Ray.
Buttimer, Jerry.
Byrne, Catherine.
Byrne, Eric.
Cannon, Ciarán.
Carey, Joe.
Conaghan, Michael.
Conlan, Seán.
Connaughton, Paul J..
Conway, Ciara.
Coonan, Noel.
Corcoran Kennedy, Marcella.
Costello, Joe.
Creed, Michael.
Deasy, John.
Deenihan, Jimmy.
Deering, Pat.
Doherty, Regina.
Donohoe, Paschal.
Doyle, Andrew.
Durkan, Bernard J..
English, Damien.
Farrell, Alan.
Feighan, Frank.
Fitzgerald, Frances.
Flanagan, Charles.
Flanagan, Terence.
Griffin, Brendan.
Hannigan, Dominic.
Harrington, Noel.
Harris, Simon.
Hayes, Brian.
Hayes, Tom.
Heydon, Martin.
Howlin, Brendan.
Humphreys, Heather.
Humphreys, Kevin.
Keating, Derek.
Keaveney, Colm.
Kehoe, Paul.
Kelly, Alan.
Kenny, Seán.
Kyne, Seán.
Lawlor, Anthony.
Lynch, Ciarán.
Lynch, Kathleen.
Lyons, John.
Maloney, Eamonn.
Mathews, Peter.
McGinley, Dinny.
McHugh, Joe.
McLoughlin, Tony.
Mulherin, Michelle.
Murphy, Dara.
Murphy, Eoghan.
Nash, Gerald.
Neville, Dan.
Nolan, Derek.
Noonan, Michael.
Ó Ríordáin, Aodhán.
O’Donnell, Kieran.
O’Donovan, Patrick.
O’Reilly, Joe.
O’Sullivan, Jan.
Ring, Michael.
Shortall, Róisín.
Spring, Arthur.
Stagg, Emmet.
Stanton, David.
Timmins, Billy.
Tuffy, Joanna.
Twomey, Liam.
Wall, Jack.
Walsh, Brian.
White, Alex.

Níl

Adams, Gerry.
Boyd Barrett, Richard.
Browne, John.
Calleary, Dara.
Collins, Niall.
Colreavy, Michael.
Cowen, Barry.
Daly, Clare.
Doherty, Pearse.
Donnelly, Stephen S..
Ellis, Dessie.
Ferris, Martin.
Flanagan, Luke ‘Ming’.
Fleming, Sean.
Fleming, Tom.
Grealish, Noel.
Healy, Seamus.
Healy-Rae, Michael.
Higgins, Joe.
Kitt, Michael P..
Mac Lochlainn, Pádraig.
McConalogue, Charlie.
McDonald, Mary Lou.
McGrath, Finian.
McGrath, Mattie.
McLellan, Sandra.
Moynihan, Michael.
Murphy, Catherine.
Nulty, Patrick.
Ó Caoláin, Caoimhghín.
Ó Cuív, Éamon.
Ó Fearghaíl, Seán.
O’Brien, Jonathan.
Ross, Shane.
Smith, Brendan.
Stanley, Brian.
Troy, Robert.
Wallace, Mick.

Tellers: Tá, Deputies Emmet Stagg and Paul Kehoe; Níl, Deputies Jonathan O’Brien and Seán Ó Fearghaíl.

Amendment declared carried.

Motion, as amended, agreed to.

Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 23 May 2012

National Monuments: Motion (resumed)

Tá

Níl

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 May 2012