Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I taught history and I am conscious of the historical significance of the Moore Street site. How does the council believe the local authority in Amsterdam would feel if there was a request to build a shopping mall that would completely dominate Anne Frank’s house? This is the similarity in the proposals for the Moore Street site. Does the council accept the emotive and concrete evidence that the whole area from the GPO right down to the Rotunda hospital is part of our history and culture, not just the few houses mentioned?

I am on the centenary commemorations committee and when Chartered Land presented to it, I asked why it wanted to put a car park at the Moore Street site. Will the council explain this to me too as the area is well-served with car parks and by public transport?

There is significant potential in this area for a historical and cultural site which will return vibrancy to the city. There is potential for employment and tourism but I cannot understand how this has not been seen. How could the council put into a developer’s hands the preservation of a site that is so much part of our history? Why would we trust a developer to do that?