Priority Questions
1. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad é an dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le haersheirbhís go dtí Oileáin Árann; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [24537/14]
View answerCuirim fáilte roimh an gcéad cheist ar maidin a bheith i nGaeilge. Tá imní ar a lán daoine mar gheall ar an seirbhís aeir go dtí na hoileáin. Tá conradh reatha ann go dtí deireadh Meán Fómhair 2014, ach céard a tharlóidh ina dhiaidh sin?
Tá an ceart ar fad ag an Teachta. Cuirim fáilte roimhe chomh maith go bhfuil an chéad cheist i nGaeilge. Tá conradh i bhfeidhm ag mo Roinn le hAer Arann chun seirbhís aeir a chur ar fáil chuig na hOileáin Árann. Tiocfaidh deiridh leis an gconradh ar 30 Meán Fómhair i mbliana. Faoi théarmaí an chonartha, tá sé de rogha ag mo Roinn síneadh bliana a chur leis go 30 Meán Fómhair 2015. Mar is eol don Teachta, d’fhostaigh mo Roinn an comhlacht Ernst & Young chun athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar riachtanas na seirbhíse aeir, i gcomhréir le rialacháin an Aontais Eorpaigh. Agus an t-athbhreithniú ar siúl ag Ernst & Young, tuigtear dom go ndearnadh teagmháil dhíreach le páirtithe leasmhara éagsúla chun a dtuairimí a fháil faoin tseirbhís aeir. Ina theannta sin, tuigtear dom gur tugadh deis, trí na comharchumainn ar na hoileáin, páirtithe leasmhara eile a aithint a mbeadh suim acu aighneacht a dhéanamh.
Tá an tuarascáil athbhreithnithe curtha i gcrích ag an chomhlacht Ernst & Young. Foilsíodh é ar shuíomh gréasáin mo Roinne ar an 28 Bealtaine seo caite. Is tuarascáil chuimsitheach atá ann a chlúdaíonn an tréimhse ó 2003 go dtí 2013. Aithníonn an tuarascáil na tionchair éagsúla atá ag an tseirbhís aeir ar shaol na n-oileánach, chomh maith le costais éagsúla na seirbhíse agus an treo ina bhfuil na costais sin ag dul. Tá an tuarascáil curtha ag mo Roinn faoi bhráid an Choimisiúin Eorpaigh i gcomhréir le rialacháin an Aontais Eorpaigh. Maidir leis an chéad chéim eile, tá sé ag dul do na páirtithe leasmhara go léir go scrúdófar gach a bhfuil sa tuarascáil chun go mbeidh mo Roinn ábalta freastal ar riachtanais na n-oileán taobh istigh de na hacmhainní atá ar fáil. Beifear ag scrúdú na moltaí atá sa tuarascáil go mion sa tréimhse atá romhainn, sula dtógtar aon chinneadh maidir le todhchaí na seirbhíse.
Tá oibleagáid seirbhíse poiblí i bhfeidhm maidir leis an seirbhís seo. Ba cheart go mbeadh leanúnachas ann, ionas go mbeimid cinnte go bhfuil seirbhís fadtéarmach i gceist. Táimid ag caint faoi chúrsaí gnó, cúrsaí turasóireachta agus an ceangal idir an t-oileán agus an mórthír. An féidir leis an Aire Stáit níos mó eolais a thabhairt dúinn faoin seirbhís mar a bheidh sí sna blianta amach romhainn? Dúirt sé go bhfuil athbhreithniú á dhéanamh ag a Roinn faoi láthair. Cén uair a bheidh an t-athbhreithniú sin críochnaithe? Cén uair a thiocfaidh cinneadh ón Rialtas?
Mar a dúirt mé, leanfaidh an conradh a bhaineann leis an seirbhís reatha go dtí 30 Meán Fómhair seo chugainn. Tá sé de rogha againn bliain eile a chur leis an gconradh ina dhiaidh sin. Tuigim go rímhaith cé chomh tábhachtach is atá an tseirbhís seo do mhuintir na n-oileáin, do chúrsaí tionsclaíochta agus turasóireachta agus do shaol na n-oileán i gcoitinne. Mar a dúirt mé, tá tuairiscí agus moltaí cuimsitheacha curtha ar fáil sa tuarascáil chuimsitheach atá ullmhaithe ag Ernst & Young. Tá siad á scrúdú i láthair na huaire. Déanfaimid cinneadh maidir leis an seirbhís gan mhoill sna seachtainí nó na míonna amach romhainn. Ba mhaith liom a rá arís go n-aithnímid go bhfuil an tseirbhís an-tábhachtach ar fad.
Dúirt an tAire Stáit go bhfuil rogha ann bliain eile a chur ar fáil go dtí Meán Fómhair 2015, agus cur leis na coinníollacha céanna a bhaineann leis an gconradh atá ann faoi láthair, nó gan a leithéid a dhéanamh. Cad atá i gceist anois i dtaobh na saineolaithe atá ag plé leis an athbhreithniú agus le rialacha an Aontais Eorpaigh? De réir mar a thuigim, caithfear an tuarascáil a sheoladh go dtí an Coimisiún Eorpach. Cén uair a bheidh sé ag dul go dtí an coimisiún chun freagra a fháil, ionas go mbeimid in ann cinneadh a dhéanamh? Tuigim nach bhfuil an tuarascáil imithe go dtí an coimisiún go fóill.
Mar a dúirt mé, foilsíodh an tuarascáil ar shuíomh Idirlín mo Roinne beagnach coicís ó shin, ar an 28 Bealtaine. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil an tuarascáil curtha ag mo Roinn faoi bhráid an Choimisiúin Eorpaigh i gcomhréir le rialacháin an Aontais Eorpaigh. Mar sin, tá an tuarascáil curtha ar aghaidh go dtí an Eoraip ag an bpointe seo. Nuair a bheidh na tuairimí ar ais agus gach rud mar sin, déanfaimid cinneadh maidir leis an seirbhís.
2. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress made in preserving the national monument in Moore Street. [24472/14]
View answerI know the Minister will agree there is a need to protect and develop the Moore Street national monument. Can he give the House an update on the progress that has been made in preserving the national monument at Moore Street?
As the Deputy is aware, I recently approved the revised designs that were submitted by the owners of the national monument at Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street for the restoration of the monument buildings and the creation of a commemorative centre to the leaders of the 1916 Rising on the site. In July 2013, I signed an order of consent that approved the commemorative centre proposal and the full repair and conservation of the monument buildings. I refused consent for the demolition of any structures, or removal of material from the site, that dated from or before 1916. I also ruled out plans for the development of an underground car park within the boundary of the national monument and the demolition of the Moore Lane facades of Nos. 15 and 16.
The July 2013 consent was conditional on the submission to me of revised project designs that took full account of the elements of the proposal for which consent had been refused and the conditions attached to the approved works. The revised designs were received in March of this year. Following consultation with interested parties and a full assessment, I approved the revisions subject to a number of new conditions. Among the new conditions are requirements for a new gable wall to be constructed at No.14 Moore Street, instead of the temporary finish that would otherwise have been in place until the wider development went ahead; and for a new building, to be incorporated into the commemorative centre, to be constructed to the side of No. 17 Moore Street as part of the restoration project. I believe the decision I have made on the revised designs will secure the future of one of the most important sites in modern Irish history.
The accompanying conditions will also ensure the restored buildings will, from day one, have a standard of finish and appearance that befits their historical importance. It is now a matter for the monument owners to progress the works.
I emphasise again that my functions under the National Monuments Acts relate only to the national monument at Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street by virtue of the preservation order placed on that site in 2007. The development of the wider Moore Street area and related matters are the responsibility of the planning authority, Dublin City Council.
The decision to grant permission for the development of Moore Street is tantamount to providing for the obliteration of what has been described by the National Museum of Ireland as the most important site in modern Irish history. The Government's proposal to turn Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street into an interpretative centre, while welcome, is inadequate as it fails to match the importance of the site. Under the current plan, the rest of the terrace on Moore Street is to be demolished. If Chartered Land is allowed to proceed with its plans, the lanes of history surrounding Moore Street will be bulldozed and covered by a shopping mall. The entire Moore Street battlefield site should be developed and protected as a national monument. This would be a fitting centre for the centenary of the 1916 Rising and would give an economic boost to the north inner city of Dublin. It could also provide a prestigious international education and tourism facility. Does the Minister agree that allowing Chartered Land to proceed with its plans undermines all the work that has been done to preserve Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street? Does he agree that the site will become nothing more than a museum in a shopping centre?
As I have stated several times, responsibility for planning and the broader site rests with Dublin City Council and An Bord Pleanála. My responsibility relates specifically to the national monument at Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street. I engaged in a long process, which lasted for three years, under which I granted permission to carry out works on the national monument and I am now satisfied that the best solution has been found. I refused consent to demolish some of the structures at the rear of the national monument, for example, the facades on Moore Lane, and I did not grant permission to proceed with an underground car park. The planning for the broader site rests with Dublin City Council. I and my Department have carried out our responsibilities and ensured the national monument will be protected. The best solution has been found.
An impression is being given that everything will be demolished. I reiterate that two lanes, Henry Place and O'Rahilly Place, will be retained. and a further lane, Moore Lane, will be retained, albeit under a glass rain cover. It is important to note, that the lanes of history will remain.
The cross-party group on Moore Street met the Minister and outlined its deep concerns at the proposed developments. Members of all parties believe strongly that the area should not be levelled to make way for a giant shopping mall. As guardian of the monument, the Minister could have done more to avoid the destruction of an area of major historical importance. Sinn Féin wants Moore Street to be fully preserved and developed as the cornerstone of a 1916 revolutionary quarter, incorporating the surrounding lanes of history. Will the Minister reconsider his decision to allow the proposed development by Chartered Land?
As I stated, I reflected on the consent for three years and the Department went through every possible process. I am satisfied, and I believe most people will agree, that the decision reached was the best one for the national monument on Moore Street. As the Deputy is aware, the issue of the broader site rests with Dublin City Council and the council will make a decision on what it wants on the site. The developer must satisfy the council and An Bord Pleanála that its plans for the site reflect its historical importance and the events that took place at Easter 1916.
3. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent of consultation made in relation to the celebration and commemoration of the historical events of 1912-1922; the remit of the Decades Committee in the Dáil; the extent of its work to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24540/14]
View answerMy question relates to the extent of public consultation on the celebration of the historical events of the period from 1912 to 1922 and the remit of the all-party working group or decades committee.
As the Deputy is aware, the programme of centenary commemorations has been developing continuously in recent years and the volume and significance of events being commemorated will continue to increase as we look towards 2016 and the centenary of the Easter Rising. The all-party consultation group on commemorations, which I chair, has been briefed by a large number of commemorations stakeholders and continues to engage with as many interested parties as possible. These parties have included the Women's History Association Ireland, the national cultural institutions and a range of local and community groups.
The all-party consultation group also maintains ongoing relationships with key partners, including the Department of Defence, An Post and academic partners. The group is periodically briefed by State agencies and relevant Departments on the status of capital projects being undertaken for completion by 1916, including the GPO project, and developments under the auspices of the Office of Public Works. It also receives media briefings.
On a partnership and collaborative basis, my Department has forged strong contacts with a range of partners, including the trade union movement, for example, in connection with the centenary of the Dublin Lock-out of 1913. The Glasnevin Trust has also been a key partner in a series of commemorative events at Glasnevin Cemetery. The successful implementation of a programme of events marking the centenary of the founding of Cumann na mBan is only the most recent example of such a collaborative approach with the Women's History Association of Ireland. The participation of the President at a formal commemoration in Glasnevin Cemetery was supplemented by events at Wynn's Hotel and a special conference at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks.
I have been greatly assisted in the task of consultation through the work of the expert advisory group of distinguished historians, chaired by Dr. Maurice Manning. The group plans to continue its programme of public consultation around the country in the run-up to 2016. Its local meetings have been well attended by members of local history societies and community groups and members of the general public.
My Department has also sought to engage public interest, including through its support for the RTE-Boston College Century Ireland digital newspaper and a series of supplements published by The Irish Times at appropriate dates around key centenaries. The most recent of these, entitled Countdown to War, was published on 14 May last and I have arranged for it to be distributed to every school and made available online. I am keen to continue to build a programme of events with the broadest possible base of support and I welcome the views of Members on how particular events can be commemorated.
As a member of the decades committee, I am aware of the extent of input into the committee. I note that the mission statement of the advisory group refers to ensuring "that significant events are commemorated accurately, proportionately and appropriately in tone". I acknowledge that many of the commemorations thus far have been extremely well-organised, dignified and fitting, although questions have arisen regarding the way in which some of the events have been advertised to the public. Members of the public must be afforded a space in which to give their views on how to commemorate the momentous events of the period from 1912 to 1922, notably the Easter Rising, which is central to the decade of commemorations. Ordinary people and families must be given a space to give their views.
When Irish Aid undertook its review of Irish aid, it held a series of public consultations and meetings nationwide, which were well attended and at which people engaged. Ordinary communities are involved in the decade of commemorations. For example, a drama group in East Wall in my constituency was heavily involved in the commemoration of the 1913 Lock-out and the Howth community is involved in the commemoration of the Howth gun-running. We must embrace members of the public by giving them an opportunity to engage.
The principal focus is on those who participated in the events in question. Last November, for example, we held a very dignified ceremony to mark the establishment of the Volunteers. As has been acknowledged, we also had a very dignified ceremony in Glasnevin Cemetery to mark the establishment of Cumann na mBan, followed by a seminar in Wynn's Hotel to mark the occasion. The focus was on the individuals who were involved at the time and their families.
That is how I want to keep it, ensuring the focus is on those who participated and their families. That will be the focus of the 1916 commemorations. I want all those who were in any way associated with it to be involved.
There was major community involvement in the 1913 Lock-out commemoration. Anyone who was on O'Connell Street that day saw that there was a major local input, as there will be in the commemoration of the Howth gun running. Wherever appropriate, there will be local involvement, as has manifested to date. The commemorations section in my Department is working very closely with all community groups, where appropriate.
I was getting at the idea of having a space for ordinary citizens to give their views on how these events should be commemorated to ensure their voices are also listened to. The suggestion that there be a royal presence at the 1916 commemorations is controversial and it would be good to get the views of ordinary citizens on it. Will the decade of commemorations be extended to include the Civil War? That will be a very difficult event to commemorate. Again, it is very important that we provide a space for ordinary people to express their views on how it should be commemorated, remembered or addressed.
The focus this year is very much on the outbreak of the First World War which must be commemorated properly because 49,000 Irish men and women died during it. There will then be a major focus on the 1916 Rising and, as I have repeated many times, the participants will be the families of those who were affected in any way by it. Almost 2,000 people were involved in 1916, including 200 members of Cumann na mBan and the Irish Citizen Army, who must be acknowledged. Regarding invited guests, there will be plenty of opportunities for people to share common platforms, while retaining the focus on those who were affected or participated. My Department's website offers people an opportunity to contribute. Century Ireland, an online historical newspaper published fortnightly, is attracting much attention. Last year I held a special seminar for local authorities to emphasise how they could be involved and embrace the commemorations. If the Deputy has other ideas, will she, please, pass them on? I have listened to her in the past and will do so in the future. The next significant event to commemorate will be the Howth gun running, in which there will be major community involvement.
4. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason certainty over funding was not clarified in advance of the commencement of Limerick’s year as the city of culture; the amount of funding allocated that has been spent to date; the amount of funding that is still to be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24538/14]
View answerThis question is posed against the background of general public and political support for the Limerick city of culture initiative and seeks to establish certainty around funding. At the outset of the project there was uncertainty about the funding available and we wonder what the situation is now regarding funding spent and whether there will be adequate funding available to see the project through to its conclusion without going over budget.
As the Deputy is aware, in the past six years overall funding to the arts and culture sector has been declining in line with other Government spending. In this climate securing funds for any new initiative such as the inaugural national city of culture presented a significant challenge. In April 2012 the Limerick Reorganisation Implementation Group, LRIG, sent an outline proposal to my Department entitled, Limerick City of Culture 2014, setting out the proposition that the designation of Limerick as national city of culture in 2014 would lead to long-lasting renewal. In May 2012 I received a letter from the LRIG with a further iteration of this document. On 3 July 2012 the Government considered the proposal and the national city of culture initiative was agreed.
During the remainder of 2012 and 2013 Limerick developed a programme of arts and cultural events and plans for 2014. On 15 October 2013 the Minister for Finance announced an allocation of €6 million from the proceeds of the sale of the national lottery to the Limerick national city of culture project. Securing funding of this level, in very difficult economic circumstances, was a major achievement. This allocation was notified ten weeks in advance of the programme starting and 62 weeks ahead of the programme's closure. However, potential funding of that general magnitude had been signalled to Limerick city of culture as early as April 2013 to assist in the preparatory work on the programme.
Up to and including last Monday, 9 June, €1.713 million had been paid to Limerick City and County Council in respect of the national city of culture, in accordance with arrangements put in place in a memorandum of understanding and service level agreement which I signed with the city and county manager. This means that €4.287 million remains to be drawn down. The programme elements to which the local authority has applied this funding are available on my Department's website, as is other information on the arts, culture and heritage programming which is being presented in Limerick this year. I particularly draw the Deputy's attention to the made in Limerick programme which comprises more than 100 grants to arts, culture and heritage practitioners, most of whom are from in and around the city of Limerick. To date, the programme has been very strong and keynote events have met with great critical acclaim. That strength and acclaim would not support any contention that the generosity of the taxpayer support for this initiative was in any way a negative factor. The Deputy will agree on the importance of judging the Limerick city of culture initiative on the quality and success of the programme over the course of the year, rather than any other more peripheral factor.
While I agree that the time for effective evaluation will be at the end of the process, we must take into account the fact that those directly involved, including the county manager, to whom the Minister referred, expressed concern at the delay in announcing the initial tranche of funding. Some expressed the view that difficulties ensued in attracting the sort of philanthropic investment that was so important to the initiative. The Minister has pioneered philanthropic contributions in this area. Six months into the process it is prudent to examine the financial position and see how the initiative is progressing. Given that the Minister has said €1.17 million has been spent and €4.2 million remains to be spent, I take it that he can assure us that the budget of €6 million which will be money well spent if, as we all hope, the project is successful will not be exceeded.
I am very encouraged by the way the Limerick city of culture programme is developing and the positive response nationally and locally to the project. The people of Limerick realise this is a wonderful opportunity for them which they must embrace. The 100 grants to local arts groups are bringing out the best in Limerick. People in places such as Moyross and Southill are coming forward with good content. If the Deputy has not already done so, I suggest he attend some of the events in Limerick. I suggest public representatives go to see how culture is improving morale and pride in the city. Some major events are forthcoming.
In April 2013 the Limerick city of culture committee was told €6 million would be made available and that it should structure a programme around this commitment. The commitment could not be given until the budget, which was always made clear, when it could be clarified by the Minister for Finance.
I take it then that the Minister is giving an assurance that the budget of €6 million will not be exceeded. A criticism of the Department is that the selection of Limerick as city of culture arose in the absence of any competition whatsoever, meaning there was no opportunity for other cities to compete for the position. I also hold the view one has to start somewhere and that Limerick was probably the best place to start. However, there is a general public concern that this level of public funding was committed to a project without there being any transparency in the process and that the Department tried to provide some sort of retrospective rationale for the selection of Limerick for this initiative. Will the Minister address those concerns?
As I said before, when I was appointed Minister, I visited Limerick on several occasions to open art exhibitions and venues. It struck me then that the wider perception of Limerick did not reflect the level of activity in the artistic, cultural and heritage areas in the city. I had discussions with the three main education institutions there, the arts community on two occasions, the Chamber of Commerce and the regeneration group on how we could use culture to improve the image of Limerick and help with its regeneration. They responded by coming forward with a very good proposal, namely that Limerick could be designated as the 2014 city of culture to coincide with the change of governance in Limerick and the significant amount of money being spent by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and Limerick City Council on the city’s physical regeneration. We wanted a cultural regeneration to accompany that. I then presented a proposal that there would be a national city of culture programme starting with Limerick. I accept there was no competition.
I am delighted, however, that several cities have inquired of my Department and directly of myself, expressing an interest in the next designation of city of culture and ensuring they will have ample opportunity to apply for it. That was the process and it goes down to this time in Limerick when it was going through major change in regeneration and governance.
5. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will prescribe an oversight mechanism in his Department and under his remit to ensure consistency in local authority local development plans for the protection of historically important sites, monuments or buildings of architectural importance as local authority treatment of important areas and sites is done in a case-by-case manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24541/14]
View answerWill the Minister prescribe an oversight mechanism in his Department and under his remit to ensure consistency in local authority local development plans for the protection of historically important sites, monuments or buildings of architectural importance as local authority treatment of important areas and sites is done in a case-by-case manner?
Ireland's archaeological and built heritage is subject to protection under a number of specific legislative instruments. In regard to national monuments legislation, it should be noted that a comprehensive new national monuments Bill is being drafted for publication later this year. While my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, is responsible for policy, oversight and legislation in the planning and development system, my role in planning is set out in the Planning and Development Acts which establish the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht as a prescribed body in matters affecting built and natural heritage.
Local authority development plans must include objectives for the conservation and protection of the archaeological and natural heritage, as well as for the protection of structures of special historical, archaeological or cultural interest. My Department provides advice to planning authorities during the drafting and review of development plans for archaeological, architectural heritage and nature conservation issues. This ensures all planning authorities obtain consistent and coherent advice.
In 2011, I reissued the statutory architectural heritage protection guidelines for planning authorities. Chapters Nos. 2 and 3 concern the protection of architectural heritage in development plans, including the protection of individual structures and architectural conservation areas. The issue of the settings of both protected structures and architectural conservation areas is an integral part of the guidelines.
My Department additionally provides a series of guidance documents on the protection of the built heritage. These are prepared with input from a range of relevant stakeholders, including other Departments, the Heritage Council and local authority representation. In this way, my Department works collaboratively to bring consistency to the consideration of the built heritage at local authority level while recognising the need for local democratic decision-making and prioritisation.
I consider the approach adopted by my Department provides an appropriate oversight mechanism for the protection of our heritage within the planning system.
Currently, there is no national legislation which outlines specific planning rules applicable to sites of development which are near national monuments or listed and preserved buildings. We are talking about the aesthetics of what we have besides national monuments. Conceivably, we could have a massive shopping centre at the entrance to Newgrange or a nightclub right beside the GPO. If legislation were in place, then what happened with the national monument in Moore Street might have been avoided.
I accept the Minister’s remit concerns only national monuments but there has to be a role in deciding on the surrounding areas. That is where the problem is now and where local authorities come in. How much oversight does the Minister have with local development plans to ensure the aesthetics around national monuments?
For the past three years, I have been pushing a new national monuments Bill. Due to competition from other legislation, especially financial Bills, it has not made the progress I would have liked. It is now almost ready and we are going through the second draft. Hopefully, I will be able to introduce it in September. Then the Deputy will have an opportunity to make an input.
As regards present planning guidelines, there are regional planning guidelines. Every local authority has a development plan which comes up for renewal every six years. My Department then has an opportunity to contribute to them. There is a list of protected structures for each county, as well as a strategic environmental assessment.
I insisted several measures be taken before I gave permission for development around the national monument in Moore Street.
Thank you, Minister.
There are existing structures there. We do have architectural input in the planning system. When we are debating the forthcoming national monuments Bill, Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan will have an opportunity to contribute to it. I will be open to any amendments that will be effective.
Thank you, Minister. The time is up. I will let you back in.
This will give her and other Members a real opportunity to contribute to this. This will be a Bill of major magnitude which will take a long time to get through here. She will get an opportunity to make her views known on it.
I ask Ministers in particular to pay attention to the clock.
I hope that legislation will not be too late for what is happening around Moore Street now. There is no way the Amsterdam authorities would allow a similar development to the one on Moore Street besides the Anne Frank house or the Polish authorities allow one besides Auschwitz. Like a Martin Luther King moment, I have a dream for Moore Street in which we have the national monument there with an appropriate surround of housing, bringing people back to live on the street, and small, craft-type, indigenous Irish small industries. If the Minister were the fairy godmother with the magic wand to the 1916 relatives committee, would he agree with that?
My advice to the Deputy is that she work closely with Dublin City Council on this issue because the future of Moore Street is in its hands. I have given the issue my consideration for more than three years and we have come up with a good solution to protect the national monument. There is, however, a broader issue relating to the site that is very much in the hands of the council and An Bord Pleanála. The Deputy should direct her attention to this broader issue.
