I thank the Chair for permitting me to raise this matter on the Adjournment this evening. From talking to the Minister I appreciate that he understands the urgency of the matter we are to discuss. I hope also that he will not mind my straying a few hundred yards into his constituency or away from mine in relation to the matter that is before us. What concerns me and has concerned a number of Members of these Houses, particularly Deputy Shatter, in recent weeks, are reports in the press relating to the abandonment of Mount Jerome Cemetery and the dismissal of the ground staff. That is to take effect from next Friday. To the knowledge of many people, even some who are here at this moment, Mount Jerome Cemetery is a very historic and probably the largest of the older cemeteries in the city. In that regard I quote from page 166 of Samuel Lewis's A History and Topography of Dublin City and County which was published first in 1837:
Mount Jerome, a beautifully picturesque demense, adjoining the village, has lately been purchased by the Dublin Cemetery Company, formed under the provisions of an Act of the fourth and fifth years of William IV, for establishing a general cemetery in the neighbourhood of the city of Dublin. This cemetery comprises twenty-five acres of gently elevated ground embellished with lawns and shrubberies, and wholly surrounded with lofty trees of venerable growth, giving it an air of seclusion and a solemnity of aspect peculiarly appropriate. Under the direction of the Company, who have a capital of £12,000 subscribed in £10 shares, provision will be made for the internment of persons of all religious denominations by recognised Ministers of their respective congregations; and in order to facilitate the approaches from the south and south-east of the city, arrangements have been made with the Grand Canal Company for the improvement of the canal road from Portobello, and for exemption from toll of all carriages passing to or from the cemetery. The plan also embraces the erection of monuments and cenotaphs, and the construction of tombs and graves either by the company at a stipulated charge, or by individuals at their own expense: the whole is enclosed by a wall, and near the entrance a church is now being erected for the accommodation of the neighbourhood as a chapel of ease. Building stone of good quality is found in abundance in the vicinity, and the Grand Canal passes almost close to the village.
Generations of Dubliners know that the cemetery was established by an Act of Parliament in 1834. The mortuary chapel which is well known to many thousands of mourners is of Gothic design. There are many handsome memorials in the cemetery. It is a very old and distinguished one and is treated with great affection by many thousands of Dubliners to this day.
I should like to ask the Minister what is happening in relation to Mount Jerome? We hear that a liquidator has been appointed by the company. The liquidator, as I understand it, is in respect of Cemetery Holdings Limited who were registered in September 1983 and who own and operate Mount Jerome. The majority of the shares of the company were apparently transferred. Are we to believe that the company concerned, formed last year, are trying to shrink from their moral responsibilities in relation to this cemetery? It is provided in the General Cemeteries Act, 1834 that the company have the responsibility to ‘keep the said cemetery and the said chapel and chapels and the several buildings therein, and the external walls and fences therein, and all the other parts of same in thorough and complete repair'. There are 9 feet high granite walls surrounding this cemetery. I am told from well informed sources that there are upwards of 100 new graves there and there is argument among the ground staff, who are subject to dismissal on Friday next, that there may be as many as 800 new graves still remaining within the 47 acre site at Mount Jerome.
The cemetery has had close links with generations of Dublin families. It cannot be allowed to be closed. Will the Minister indicate what positive steps he will now take to protect the cemetery from likely vandal attack and provide some reassurance to the families of those who expected Mount Jerome to be their burial place? I understand that the liquidator will meet officials of the Department on Monday next. Can the Minister say whether there are developments that he can expand on at this moment? Will provision be made for Dublin Corporation to assume responsibility for the management of this cemetery so as to ensure that the graves and tombstones, and of course the Gothic mortuary chapel, will be looked after? We must have regard for the generations of Dubliners whose remains rest there. The Minister should ensure that the supports necessary for the transfer to the corporation will be facilitated by his Department. Are we to expect legislation in this area to bring about a new situation following the position that has now been reached? In particular I should like to know if we are in a position to ensure that for the moment the General Cemetery Company are expected, as the law provides, to conduct their affairs properly and to ensure that the maintenance of the cemetery and the protection of the cemetery remain in good hands?