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National Monuments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 March 2014

Thursday, 6 March 2014

Ceisteanna (23)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

23. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the consent application is for a restoration of the National Monument per se and is independent of the Chartered Land planning application that seeks the demolition of other buildings occupied by the 1916 Provisional Government; if his decision will ensure the creation of a commemorative centre on the site involving the full repair and conservation of the four buildings; and if it will exclude the demolition of any structures or the removal of any material from the area which date from or before 1916; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10706/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The national monument at Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street is the subject of a Preservation Order under the National Monuments Acts. The effect of the Preservation Order is that any works affecting the site require my consent, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, under section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930, as amended.

On 16 July last I made a determination in relation to a consent application and related Environmental Impact Statement submitted by the owners in relation to proposed works on the monument site. My decision provides for the creation of a 1916 commemorative centre, involving the full repair and conservation of the four buildings. The order which I signed did not approve the demolition of any structures or the removal of any material from the site which date from or before 1916. Nor did it approve works for the provision of an underground car park within the boundary of the national monument site, or the demolition of the Moore Lane facades of Nos. 15 and 16.

The national monument is in private ownership and, accordingly, the advancement of proposals that reflect the terms of the consent I have granted is a matter for the owners. The consent is, however, conditional on a revised project design that takes full account of the terms of my decision being submitted for my approval within 9 months of the decision date. A further condition requires substantive works to commence on site within 3 months of the approval of the revised proposals.

In the meantime my Department I have met with representatives of the monument owners, Chartered Land Ltd, who affirmed their intention to respond in an entirely positive way to the terms of the consent I had granted. They have since had a number of further meetings with my Department to discuss and clarify various aspects of the detailed conditions set out in consent order with the objective of ensuring that their final designs for the approved works are fully compliant with what I have prescribed. My understanding is that those designs will be submitted to me very shortly to verify that they are in compliance with the consent order. They will be assessed as quickly as possible on receipt.

The National Asset Management Agency has recently confirmed to my Department that it will make the necessary funding available for the works covered by my consent. This adds considerably to the prospects of a fitting tribute to the 1916 leaders being in place in Moore St in time for the centenary of the Rising. I understand that Chartered Land has also indicated to my Department that it could be expected to bring the approved works to completion within that timeframe.

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