Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We discussed this before the previous break. My view is these would be matters for decision by a planning authority at planning application stage. I discussed with Deputies Ó Broin and Cian O'Callaghan the very example of Moore Street and how, since the events of the Rising, that street has changed and its character has changed as well but we need to protect the national monument and we have gone through all of that. I said earlier that I will not be accepting these amendments. One of the issues is how one would define the "integrity within the surrounding context". That is a question and a decision for a planning authority at planning application stage. The definition of what the Deputy has included in the amendment would be very problematic. I have a great interest in many of the examples to which the Deputy referred. We all want to make sure that we protect and enhance our built heritage and historical sites. There are mechanisms to do that but we also have to make sure, particularly within our urban areas and cities, that those areas continue to evolve and that people can live in them, while also fully respecting and protecting the heritage properties or national monuments that may be there. Moore Street is a good example and we went into some detail on it earlier on when discussing similar amendments tabled by Deputies Ó Broin and O'Callaghan. I will not be accepting amendments Nos. 599 and 600, while understanding the reason they were put forward.