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National Monuments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 May 2013

Thursday, 30 May 2013

Ceisteanna (4)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

4. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the actions he will take to ensure the preservation of numbers 14, 15 and 16 Moore Street, Dublin 1; if there is a compulsory purchase order planned for these sites or is it already in existence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26307/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí ó Béal (7 píosaí cainte)

The national monument at 14-17 Moore Street is the subject of a preservation order under the National Monuments Acts. The effect of the order is that any work affecting the site requires the consent of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930, as amended.

The landowner's application to my Department for consent to proposals that include the provision of a commemorative centre to the 1916 Rising and its leaders on the national monument site is being examined. As part of the consent process, the applicant was asked by my Department to provide an environmental impact statement, EIS, on the proposed works. Following completion of the statutory consultation procedures associated with the EIS, I am proceeding with the formal environmental impact assessment, EIA, including consideration of the submissions received. I will then make a decision on the consent application itself.

The national monument is in private ownership and has not been subject to compulsory purchase procedures. Responsibility for its upkeep and maintenance rests with the owners. My function in that respect is confined to considering any related proposal by the owners for which my consent must be sought under the National Monuments Acts. Such consent has been applied for, and granted, from time to time, most recently for essential stabilisation works to the building facades, and I understand that the buildings are structurally secure. The monument buildings are also included in the record of protected structures maintained by Dublin City Council under the Planning Acts. It is important to point out that the city council has specific powers of intervention should any particular concern arise about the structures' condition.

I hope to be in a position to make a determination on the consent application under the National Monuments Acts and the associated EIA in the near future.

Before Deputy Ó Fearghaíl asks a supplementary question, I wish to advise the House of what I have learned. In the case of Priority Questions, the nominated question's poser must be present. In the case of Other Questions, the Minister may read the reply. Do the Deputies follow?

We have all learned something.

As I rise, I feel like a person in the early Alzheimer's advertisement, which asks whether the person keeps asking the same question again and again and again. This matter has arisen again and again and again during our sessions with the Minister. He has indicated to the House that he intends to consider the request for consent, but we have reached the point of urgency with the national monument at 14-17 Moore Street. We all appreciate the site's importance. It is in a state of advanced decay and I understand that the Minister gave his consent to emergency works being carried out in February. I also understand that, when a number of Deputies visited the area in the course of the past week or two, they were refused access because of the state of the buildings.

Dublin City Council has advised the Minister against giving consent for the proposed works. My colleague, Councillor Mary Fitzpatrick has been campaigning on the council for Moore Street's restoration and broader works of a positive nature in the north O'Connell Street area.

Can we please inject a level of urgency into this issue? While it does not all rest with the Minister, will he move forward urgently with his area of responsibility so that we do not need to raise these questions again and the Department can be seen to be taking action?

That is my full intention. I am awaiting my officials' recommendation. Hopefully, it will be presented. I have looked for it and would have been delighted to advise the Deputy that I had it. After I have it, I will assess it and make an announcement shortly. I promised Deputy McLellan that the announcement would come before the end of this Dáil session. This is for sure. I agree with everyone that we need to make a determination on this issue, as 2016 is approaching. Whatever the determination will be, it will be important.

One side of the family supports the proposal while the other side does not.

What is proposed for Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street is being examined and I will make a decision on the matter shortly. All I can do under the existing legislation is give consent to any works being carried out. I must determine whether the proposed works would in any way affect the monument. Chartered Land has sought permission to carry out stabilisation work on No. 15, which I provided and the work is being carried out. Work on the facade is to start immediately. Permission was not required for such work but the company informed me of it. I urge Deputy Ó Fearghaíl to convey to his party councillors who are interested in the matter that Dublin City Council can issue a directive to Chartered Land at any time to carry out essential structural works if it is concerned about the buildings. If such a request appears on my desk I will deal with it immediately because I am as concerned as anyone else in the House about the buildings.

This is something that concerns all of us. I would like to see a united approach from everyone to resolve the issue. The matter is not simple and significant issues arise but it is important that the House is united on the approach. To date, generally speaking people have been positive, practical and pragmatic in their approach. I agree with the Deputy that concerns arise and that the matter must be addressed urgently. Accordingly, the decision will be made before the House adjourns.

I welcome the Minister’s assurance that he treats the matter with urgency. For my part, I will liaise with my party’s councillors and ask them what Dublin City Council can do. Could the Minister indicate whether he has had recent, direct contact with Chartered Land or NAMA?

No, I have not. The contact I had with Chartered Land was through the all-party committee to which it made a presentation. I have had no direct contact with the company since.

I understand that the Moore Street committee is very anxious to visit the monument. I received a letter from Deputy McLellan requesting such a visit in which she outlined that problems had arisen in that regard. I will contact Chartered Land to ensure the committee is accommodated. I understand an all-party committee has been selected to visit the monument as soon as possible. I will certainly make the request.

Question No. 5 answered with Question No. 1.
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