Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

I welcome the opportunity to raise this important issue, the conservation and development of the structures at Nos. 14-17 Moore Street. There is a longstanding campaign on this issue. The site is where the 1916 leaders made their last stand. The decision was taken by the city council that this be declared a national monument and developed into an interpretative centre, museum and a history centre. The Shaffrey report was produced in November 2005. Arising from that comprehensive report the city council agreed to include Nos. 14-17 Moore Street on the record of protected structures. This was followed shortly afterwards by a visit to the area, with great fanfare, by the then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and a declaration by the Taoiseach himself who announced in December 2006 that No. 16 Moore Street was to be a national monument.

One would be forgiven for thinking the listing of the buildings as a protected structure and a national monument would ensure it would be protected and developed in accordance with its new status due to its historic importance. However, nothing has been done to protect these buildings, which have been allowed to fall into a state of disrepair and dereliction. The elements are causing damage to the buildings, this national monument is rapidly falling into dereliction and the local authority seems content to allow this to continue. As far as I understand, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has taken no action. Slates are missing from the roof of the building and damage has occurred to the interior. If the building is not protected there is every chance it could be declared a dangerous building and its protected status would be short lived in those circumstances.

Part of the problem relates to the delay in the development of the adjoining streets, the so-called Carlton site, which has been beset by legal difficulties, but these have now been resolved. That said, this is no excuse for either the local authority or the Government. The local authority put the building on its list of protected structures but left it unprotected, and the Government declared it a national monument but took no steps to do anything about it. I seek a commitment that the building be surveyed as a matter of urgency, with a view to protecting both the exterior and the interior. In addition, I wish to hear an outline of the proposals for the building. The Taoiseach referred to long-term phased proposals between now and 2016. He also made proposals regarding the GPO. Nothing specific has been decided about the building's future. Will the building become a museum, a visitor's centre or a heritage centre? When will something happen? We cannot allow private developers to rule the roost and, in the meantime, neither the State, its agencies nor the local authority appears to be in a position to do anything to protect this structure.

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