Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2015
144. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht , in view of the fact that she has previously stated in relation to Moore Street that her only responsibility is to protect the national monument, the steps she is taking to protect the national monument; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5520/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy function in this case relates to the buildings at Nos. 14-17 Moore Street, which are the subject of a Preservation Order under the National Monuments Acts because of their association with the events of Easter Week 1916. As a consequence of the Preservation Order, any works affecting Nos. 14-17 require the formal consent of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under the National Monuments Acts. After extensive deliberations, a final Ministerial consent was given to the owners in April 2014 for the creation of a 1916 commemorative centre in the monument buildings, involving the full repair and restoration of the structures, both internally and externally.
Proposals that subsequently went before Dublin City Council late last year would have allowed the exchange of two modern 1990s buildings at Nos. 24 and 25 Moore Street, currently used as a cleansing depot, in return for full ownership of Nos. 14-17 being transferred to the City Council. The transfer would have been accompanied by NAMA funding to cover the full cost of the restoration project and the proposed commemorative centre.
I was disappointed that Dublin City Councillors rejected these plans, which I believe provided a real opportunity to have the restoration work completed and the commemorative centre open in time for the centenary of the Rising in 2016. Following the decision to reject the proposal, it is now a matter for the City Council and the monument owners to consider what the implications are for the national monument buildings, for the NAMA funding for the restoration project and for the centenary commemorations in 2016.
In the meantime, my Department continues to monitor the condition of the protected buildings, including undertaking regular site inspections. Works have been carried out by the monument owners from time to time, with my Department’s formal consent, with the objective of preventing any deterioration in the condition of the structures.
