Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 February 2018
46. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to develop a vibrant historical, cultural and heritage quarter on the Moore Street battlefield site by recognising that the battlefield site is a national monument. [10092/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, at a meeting with the owners of the Moore Street development site on Tuesday, 20 February, agreement was reached on the modalities of engagement between those owners and the Moore Street Advisory Group, on the presentation of a way forward for the revitalization of area in a manner that will recognise the views of all stakeholders, reflect its historical and cultural significance, its employment and economic value to the North Inner City and all in a manner consonant with the recommendations of the Moore Street Consultative Group 's work "Moore Street Report Securing History".
The Deputy will recall that the key recommendation of this report was the establishment of the Moore Street Advisory Group, of which he is also a member, which has the task of devising an agreed plan among the key stakeholders that will take account of the needs of the area in a way that also respects and acknowledges its importance in the context of the 1916 Rising and ultimately the foundation of the state.
Fundamental to this objective is dialogue with the owners of the site that extends from Moore Street to the Carlton Cinema in O’Connell Street. I was very pleased to hear from the Chair of the Advisory Group in the last few days of the constructive meeting he and the Oireachtas members of the Group, including the Deputy, had with the owners last week. I believe that this is the appropriate way in which to address the issues relating to the site and its wider environs.
I am pleased that a foundation and framework has now been laid for positive and fruitful co-operation, dialogue and interaction between all the key interests in Moore Street under the aegis of the Moore Street Advisory Group. I would encourage the Deputy to continue to engage and contribute to that process through his membership of the Group.
