National Monuments.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2007

Tuesday, 24 April 2007

Ceisteanna (975, 976, 977, 978)

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

1002 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if Dublin City Council wins the compulsory purchase order case, the ownership of 16 Moore Street will be relinquished by the people who owned it prior to the initiation of the CPO process, and transferred to the city council in compliance with the development plan, or if the ownership of 16 Moore Street will transfer to a person (details supplied) on foot of a secret contract which was made by them and the management of Dublin City Council in February 2004 which the membership of Dublin City Council, the 52 elected local government representatives, were unaware of for over two years. [14481/07]

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

1015 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Supreme Court rules in favour of Dublin City Council in relation to its CPO case regarding 16 Moore Street, his Department will actively seek to have the ownership of 16 Moore Street transferred to the city council in compliance with the development plan, or will the ownership transfer to a person (details supplied) as per a contract agreed with the management of Dublin City Council in February 2004, which was not disclosed to the elected members of Dublin City Council for over two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14670/07]

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

1016 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the policy and procedures in place to ensure that number 16 Moore Street, a heritage site of historical significance as the 1916 leaders’ last stand headquarters, is preserved for future generations and is owned and managed by a not for profit organisation charged with its protection and promotion. [14671/07]

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

1017 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will take positive action to ensure that the ownership of 16 Moore Street is taken into public hands, using whatever means are at the disposal of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14672/07]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1002, 1015 to 1017, inclusive, together.

Number 16 Moore Street is listed on Dublin City Council's Record of Protected Structures and is also the subject of a Preservation Order under the National Monuments Acts. The maintenance and upkeep of protected structures or national monuments are the responsibility of the building's owner. The Planning and Development Act 2000 empowers the local authority to take action to secure the protection of protected buildings. The owner of a national monument the subject of a Preservation Order, or any person, is required under the National Monuments Acts to obtain the prior written consent the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government before undertaking any works affecting such a monument, including disturbance of the ground within, around or in proximity to it. Before giving such consent the Minister must consult with the Director of the National Museum of Ireland.

A person who contravenes this provision of the National Monuments Acts is guilty of an offence and liable, upon conviction, to substantial fines or terms of imprisonment. The Minister may take enforcement action to secure the protection of such monuments.