Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I agree with Deputy Martin in this regard. Obviously the previous Government and the then Minister placed a preservation order on 16 Moore Street. I will also take up this matter with the British authorities in respect of whatever records may have been removed, transferred or whatever to British locations. I made the point to Deputy McDonald that the location no longer is that important if access now is available via digital or electronic means. It is fair to state that there has not been a sense of the real importance of this location to the extent that, as politicians, Members might have liked. However, in the context of the Deputy's comments, I also believe that as we approach 2016, this will become more prevalent and more realistic. Consequently, the suggestion to have Dublin City Council review its own programme and plan in this regard is a good one because Dublin obviously will take centre stage in all these commemorations. It is an issue with which city councillors, many of whom are new, would like to be involved to heighten the perception of the importance of this location.

For me, the question is whether there is a possibility of putting together the old and the new in a way that is new and realistic, that is forward-thinking but which does not lose the historic importance of what happened here and for all those involved. I say this without prejudice to the planning application.

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