Mr. John Tierney:

We are here today at the joint committee's invitation to clarify where, from the perspective of Dublin City Council, the issue of the national monument stands. The matter of works to the national monument site is still within process and obviously, any comments we make must take cognisance of that fact. Professor Kealy's presentation was very interesting because one point it highlighted to everyone is the multiplicity of factors that must be taken into account in situations like this, which is far from being a black-and-white matter. That was one reason the council commissioned the Shaffrey report in 2005, which we have circulated to members today, together with our presentation, and which is well worth reading by everyone if possible.

Mention was made of the TG4 programme, of which the council has a very different view. Moreover, some issues were raised today which are beyond the bounds of what I understood we were here to talk about. However, I am happy to respond to this effect, namely, when I became city manager in late 2006, one of my very first meetings - that is the reason I remember it so clearly - debated this issue fully. The situation was openly debated and the issues, some of which were referred to today, were dealt with at the time. Indeed, some of the decisions prior to my becoming manager, either were lost in terms of the compulsory purchase order or withdrawn in terms of the agreement to which reference was made. The city council is debating these issues again and a report was put before its members last Monday night dealing with those issues. A further debate on the issues will be held on 19 November.

Before I hand over to Mr. Jim Keogan to cover our written presentation in more detail, I will conclude by referring to the planning permission that was granted in 2008. In effect, our decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála and following a lengthy oral hearing, An Bord Pleanála granted the permission in March 2010. In making the decision, the board considered that the proposed development, as amended, and subject to compliance with the conditions it had set out, would constitute an appropriate mix and intensity of land use, would be compatible with the established pattern of development in the vicinity and would be acceptable in terms of impact on cultural heritage of the area, including the national monument at Nos. 14-17 Moore Street, protected structures within the site and environs, and the historic street network. The plan approved provided for the preservation of Nos. 14-17 Moore Street as a national monument.

The fifth condition of the grant permission states that no work shall commence within the preservation order boundary of the national monument at Nos.14-17 Moore Street, unless prior ministerial consent to such works has been obtained in accordance with the statutory requirements of section 14 of the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004. In compliance with this condition, Chartered Land has made an application to the Minister to carry out works in accordance with the approved plans and the decision is awaited. I now ask Mr. Jim Keogan to take it from there.